(Kezia is getting ready for exams so I'm doing her post today for her.)
What does it take to get our attention?
In Exodus 7:3 it says:
3 But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt
Sometimes we need that too....to be reminded that God is in control. He is in control of unfortunate circumstances. He is in control of the outcome. He knows exactly how it will all play out. Through blood, frogs, gnats, flies, and more....God is in control. He can use difficult situations to bring people to a place where they are without doubt that God's power is infinite.
In the NT readings, this verse stood out for me:
19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”
It's interesting to note that evil thoughts come in same sentence as murder. Sin is sin. Sin is what separates us from God. Without repentance, we cannot be clean from our sin. From our thoughts come actions and where are thoughts are evil, our actions follow. May we strive for clean thoughts and actions that honour God.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Exodus 9-11; Matthew 15:21-39
4 comments:
What really stood out for me in today's OT testament reading was that God had Aaron use a staff to call down the plague (or miracle) each time instead of just calling down the plagues. And each time God had Aaron do something a little bit different with it.‘Raise the staff in your hand over all the rivers, canals, and ponds of Egypt' or "Raise the staff in your hand and strike the ground"... God will give us the tools we need to walk out His plan, but we have to always go back to Him in each circumstance to get direction on HOW to use HIS tools to fulfill His purpose and not just assume it's the same thing every time.
Exodus 8:29
Moses answered, “As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the Lord, and tomorrow the swarms of flies will disappear from you and your officials and all your people. But I am warning you, Pharaoh, don’t lie to us again and refuse to let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”
Exodus 8:32
But Pharaoh again became stubborn and refused to let the people go.
Its hard to believe that Pharaoh would keep lying about letting the people go, but he was stubborn and thought he was more powerful then God. How often am I stubborn, and refuse to listen to God? I've read the Bible and know that God can do anything, and yet have a hard time listening to Him. I pray for a heart that listens and obeys Him.
Good post! My thoughts as I read were along the same lines. Jody, good point about going back to God about how to use His tools. I hadn't thought of it that way.
Our actions reveal what is really in our hearts, no matter what we may say (Pharaoh was a good example of this NT principle!). In our natural state we will produce evil thoughts and actions. Thankfully, God can give us a new heart and help us overcome sin.
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