“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” ( Deuteronomy 31:6)
When Moses was finally called up to go to Pharaoh with a message “Let my people go” he was terrified. He protested that he was slow of speaking. “Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” ( Exodus 4:10). Immediately the Lord aided him with Aaron to speak on his behalf. Further, the Lord offered: “take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it” ( vv 17).
Egypt was the greatest power on earth and walking up to its Pharaoh, an absolute monarch, was never going to be easy for any. Besides, Moses, had once murdered an Egyptian and was on the “Wanted List!” He was stepping back into dangerous territory. But now he had heard from God! So, with his brother Aaron together with the staff in his hands he stepped up to the mighty Pharaoh.
Finally in his imperial court, Moses looked straight up to Pharaoh and calmly 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 wilderness” ( Exodus 5:1). The man who had been so terrified had found the courage to speak up to a King who had the power of life and death in his hands. But Moses was no longer afraid. He knew God had sent him and all his fears had melted away.
You too might be facing one huge task that strikes terror in your heart. It seems so uphill that you cast around for help. But if God has spoken to you, and not only that but given you signs, as well, why be afraid! Just walk out calm with confidence, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, for that task before me that looks impossible and so terrifying, I look up to you, for you have gone before me, and victory awaits me, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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18/05/2024 - 19/05/2024 All day“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)
Perhaps one of the most inspiring passages in the Bible with enduring lessons is where Moses pleads to Pharaoh to let the Jews go. Instead Pharaoh dared Moses if he had the power as that of a king. Challenged to “perform a miracle” Moses turned to Aaron who threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs (Exodus 7: 9-12).
What we see here is the presence of occult powers in high places, as is true even today. A common mistake by some is to deny the existence of the occult behind certain thrones or power centers, especially in instances where we find those putting on a genteel manner of social respectability. There are also those who through their education and confined exposure to the spirit realm of things, doubt the existence of occult powers. The reality is that in the world we live in the enemy is much at work. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
In this passage we see that while Pharaoh did release his snakes the staff God had placed in the hands of his messenger, Moses, was far greater and swallowed all. Here is the point. As believers we do have a far greater and mighty power to protect us from any attacks of the enemy. It is the blood of the lamb. As it is written, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...” (Revelation 12:11).
Today whatever snakes you may encounter from anywhere be assured that you have a far greater power than of the enemy. It is the blood of Jesus. As His word says, “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for protection from the attacks of the enemy by the blood of the lamb, this I pray in Jesus’name.
