DAILY READING
REFLECTION
There is No One Like the LORD Our God
by Beth Voltmann
Moses’ first reaction to God’s call on his life was far from confident and trusting. He doubted that anybody would listen to him--he feared he was too slow of speech-–he pleaded with God to send somebody else. God graciously sent Aaron to work alongside him.
Like most of us, Moses had to learn how to walk with complete faith, trusting God’s Word and his promises. Perhaps ten plagues were necessary, not only to compel Pharaoh to release God’s people, but also to prepare Moses for the task of leading them from captivity to the Promised Land.
I find it fascinating that Pharaoh’s magicians were able to mimic the first and second plagues.
Why?
What was the point?
As if they needed more tainted water and extra amphibians in Egypt?
Pharaoh’s magicians competed with those first plagues by drawing on dark powers from the enemy. Satan will always try to imitate God in order to stir up fear, confusion and discouragement with the hopes of undermining our faith. Moses wasn’t deterred.
Interestingly, Pharaoh asked Moses to “pray to the LORD to take the frogs away,” (v. 8) with the promise that he would then free the people. Moses was growing in his God-given authority and Pharaoh could sense it as much as he disliked it.
Moses allowed him to choose the time of prayer, knowing that God was about to make himself known.
“’Tomorrow,’ Pharaoh said.
Moses replied,
‘It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God.
The frogs will leave you and your people; they will remain only in the Nile.’
And the LORD did what Moses asked.”
(Exodus 8:10, 13)
Take note that none of the remaining plagues could be duplicated. The enemy’s power had been exposed as counterfeit. Moses was learning that it was less about him and more about God. He needed only to obey his voice and trust all else to prayer. God’s might and faithfulness were on display.
There is no one like the LORD our God!
PRAYER
Lord, you alone are mighty to save, and yet, you have called believers to share your light with the world. Train us to do so with a bold faith, trusting in your Word and your promises. Forgive our weaknesses and give us courage for the task ahead. Amen.
I had never caught that there was a time set- an important piece to affirming it was God who moved. And it does seem that God was preparing Moses for all that would come in the process of revealing himself in the plagues to Pharaoh but also the Israelites. Thanks Beth!
Beth, I will be chewing on these words you wrote: "Satan will always try to imitate God in order to stir up fear, confusion, and discouragement". I am pondering this right now. Thank you.
Nice job again, Beth.