“It is through faith that a righteous person has life" (Romans 1:17)
When the Lord called Moses to go back to Egypt and liberate his people from their bondage he would be visited with countless miracles. When he went down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and he threw down his stuff which 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 7:11-12).
That was the start. From there on the Lord would reveal himself through a series of miracles. First, there was the plague of frogs, then the plague of flies and came the plague of gnats (Exodus 8). These would be followed by the plague on livestock, the plague of boils and plague of hail, the plague of darkness and more (Exodus 9).
Still hardened, to humble Pharaoh but also reveal his decisive power, came the plague on the first born (Exodus 11) forcing him to finally relent. And when Pharaoh still resisted came the final blow when his troops in hot pursuit all drowned under the Red sea as Moses led his people safely away (Exodus 15).
If there was a man who had seen God 's hand of power it was Moses. But then later at Meribah Moses showed some doubts. When he was asked to strike a rock for water to gush out and quench the thirst of his restless people, yet for some reason, he hit twice, leading the Lord to rebuke him: “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them" (Numbers 20:12).
Just as it were any of us could have witnessed countless miracles in our lives. But like Moses we dare doubt God, inspite of all we have seen! God has seen us through the past year but then we are not sure of the future. Well, God is certainly not pleased when we are doubtful of His power. May our faith in him through this New Year remain as steadfast as the rock.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have revealed yourself in my life through countless miracles, I move with faith knowing you are the same God today, yesterday and forever, this I pray in Jesus' name.
Related upcoming events
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08/05/2024 - 09/05/2024 All day“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
The culture of sharing gifts runs through scriptures and is at the heart of the Gospel. Upon realizing that Jesus Christ had been born the three wise main did not just go empty handed. “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mathew 2:11).
When Jacob decided to return to his country, he went with gifts to soften the heart of his twin brother Esau, whom he had left maddened at him for various wrongs. “Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys” ( Genesis 32: 13-15). The reason was, Jacob thought, “I will try to appease him by sending gifts ahead of me. When I see him in person, perhaps he will be friendly to me.” So the gifts were sent on ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp” (vv 2—21).
Esau was already a wealthy man and had no need of the gifts presented. But Jacob pleaded with him. “Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift” (Genesis 33: 11). This symbol of good touched Esau, brightened his heart, burying the old acrimonious relation.
Taking after these two instances believers should be in the habit of sharing gifts. We should visit each other not empty handed but like the wise men with gifts, not so much that those we are gifting are lacking, but as a way of blessing them. Proverbs 11:25-26, says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Most importantly we bless each other with gifts because we have received the most important gift there is in life, the gift of salvation. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the most precious gift of all that you gave me of eternal life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and so I pray that I may not hesitate to share this gift and bless those with as much whom you enable me to meet, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
