DAILY READING
REFLECTION
God's Mighty Hand
by Pam Mann
“Because of My mighty hand,” God assures Moses, “Pharaoh will let My people go.” Then God goes on to remind Moses of how faithful He was to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God remembers His covenant with these ancestors. God is calling Moses to trust in His mighty hand for their future freedom.
So… Moses dutifully reports this good news to the Israelites. Do they rejoice? No! They do not even listen to poor Moses, who’s just the messenger here. After all, their work situation has only worsened since Moses got involved!
No wonder Moses asks God how the mighty Pharaoh will listen to him when the Israelites themselves are not interested. Clearly, speaking what God says is not work for the faint of heart, is it? But Moses met God at the burning bush in Exodus 3. He has witnessed the very real presence of the Lord God Himself. He has had a glimpse of God’s mighty hand. Moses knows that, when God is on the move, people need to look out.
At this point in the biblical account, both God’s people and Pharaoh’s people are expecting life to go on as it always has. They expect business as usual. Little do they know about the dramatic lengths to which God will go to set His people free.
God knows, and Moses is learning, that this emancipation will take time and effort. Moses will face frustration and disappointment. Powerful people will push back against him. But, while the way is still rough going, Moses is putting his trust in God’s mighty hand to deliver.
So, what does this ancient encounter with God mean for us today? Is this same mighty hand of God also at work among us? Are we not also God’s children, whom He desires to set free from slavery? Are we not also meant to renounce the forces that would enslave us? What would happen if we would face each new day, trusting like Moses, that God’s mighty hand is present to move us toward freedom? What if the obstacles that hinder us only remind us that God will have yet greater glory when our freedom comes at last? What if we proclaim to our own hearts and souls that God’s mighty hand will set us free?
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, that Your hand is mighty and moving still today to set captives free. Give us backbones like Moses to stand against what would enslave us. Give us peers like Aaron to stand with us. Give us boldness to pray against evil that would like to hinder Your kingdom’s coming. As we face each new day, looking for Your mighty hand, give us feet to go where You send us. Amen.
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