Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 27, 2022
Read Exodus 3:1-12
1 Moses was taking care of the flock for his father-in-law Jethro, Midian’s priest. He led his flock out to the edge of the desert, and he came to God’s mountain called Horeb. 2 The LORD’s messenger appeared to him in a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was in flames, but it didn’t burn up. 3 Then Moses said to himself, Let me check out this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn’t burning up. 4 When the LORD saw that he was coming to look, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” Moses said, “I’m here.” 5 Then the LORD said, “Don’t come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground.” 6 He continued, “I am the God of your father, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I’ve clearly seen my people oppressed in Egypt. I’ve heard their cry of injustice because of their slave masters. I know about their pain. 8 I’ve come down to rescue them from the Egyptians in order to take them out of that land and bring them to a good and broad land, a land that’s full of milk and honey, a place where the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites all live. 9 Now the Israelites’ cries of injustice have reached me. I’ve seen just how much the Egyptians have oppressed them. 10 So get going. I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I to go to Pharaoh and to bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 God said, “I’ll be with you. And this will show you that I’m the one who sent you. After you bring the people out of Egypt, you will come back here and worship God on this mountain.”
Good morning! God sees our pain and comes to us!
As I wander around my yard this morning, I see evidence of God surrounding me. In the trees with their strong tall trunks that support the limbs and leaves. The trees remind me how God supports all of us as we branch out from our faith. Next, I look at the flowers with all of their diversity in color, shape, and size which reminds me that we are all God’s children despite our differences. Even the blades of grass which bend as the wind blows represent how God is with us wherever we go.
I find reading the stories of Moses very interesting. I’m comforted by the idea that God can take an ordinary, unassuming person and accomplish such great things. Moses wasn’t looking to be a leader. In fact, he questioned God on many occasions as to whether someone else might be better equipped for the job, but God had plans for Moses that were revealed to him and the world as he allowed God to direct and work through him.
Unimaginable blessings are waiting for those who listen and follow God wherever God leads them. We might think, as Moses did, but God, “I think that you have the wrong person; I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m just a shepherd or a . . .. What do I know about saving people from oppression?” I imagine God smiles when we question choosing us because only God knows what we are capable of when we fully give ourselves to God.
Sometimes our path seems cloudy or we approach unexpected obstacles that make us question ourselves. All we have to do is look around for the many signs that God places around us to reassure us of his presence. God’s handiwork surrounds us so that we might be encouraged to take our next step.
Loving and Caring God, Thank You for loving us. We often doubt that we are capable of making a difference in our broken world. Through You, Christ, and the Holy Spirit help us believe that we are capable of unimaginable things in Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I trust that God is always by my side.
Look and see God surrounding you in nature! Pastor Liz
Comments