QT on 12th March 2012

Today's Word is taken from Exodus 5:1-14 (NIV)

[1] Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: `Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.' " [2] Pharaoh said, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go." [3] Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword." [4] But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!" [5] Then Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working." [6] That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and foremen in charge of the people: [7] "You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. [8] But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, `Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' [9] Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies." [10] Then the slave drivers and the foremen went out and said to the people, "This is what Pharaoh says: `I will not give you any more straw. [11] Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.' " [12] So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. [13] The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw." [14] The Israelite foremen appointed by Pharaoh's slave drivers were beaten and were asked, "Why didn't you meet your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?"


1. I am not sure, but I think Moses must have felt disturbed when he tries to help the Israelites and the situation became worse for the Israelites. Many times in life, similar situations happens to us too... But that does not mean we give up doing good to others and we defintely MUST not stop obeying what God called us to do... It is about trusting in God that whatever the devil do to try to harm us, God will turn it around and bring blessings to those who truly love Him...


2. From today's QT, I also recognize that the devil is all the time resisting the work of God and try to cause chaos and make the situation difficult for God's people. We need to recognize that the battle is against the Pharoh of Egypt which represents the devil, the powers & principalities of the air and understand that our battle is not against flesh & blood. Pharoh tries to make things difficult for the Israelite hoping that the people will blame Moses. In the same way, the devil likes to create misunderstandings among God's people and cause them to blame one another... In such situations, we need to trust God and believe in "Moses", believe in one another. We MUST NOT break trust in God's anointed servant & with one another... even when the devil tries to pressure everyone and make the situation tense for all... The best thing for the Israelites to do under such circumstances is to unite and not allow the "pharoh" to intimidate them...


Closing Prayer:
Almighty God, You are the one true God over all creation. There is none like You. I worship You because You are soverign and worthy of the highest praise. Thank You for rescuing me from all false gods and idols. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


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