Let My People Go

Let My People Go

This is what the Lord says; “Let my people go, so they can worship me.”    (Exodus 8:1b NLT)

The statement “Let my people go, so they can worship me,” contains several important truths:

   Truth #1 – There is no getting around the fact that the children of Israel are God’s chosen people and belong to him. Many places in the Scriptures God has spoken, “Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.” (Deut. 7:6b NLT)

   This same truth can be said of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. John the Apostle writes, “You didn’t choose me, I chose you.” (15:16 NLT) Again the Apostle Paul states: “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” (Eph. 1:4 NLT) The Apostle Peter affirms this when he says, “You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” (1 Peter 2:9a NLT)

   Truth #2 – When God gives a command to one of his creative beings he expects them to obey. This was certainly true of his creation of our first parents Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, both Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and the whole creation fell under God’s curse. It wasn’t long before the sin of disobedience was evidenced again in the murder of Abel by his brother Cain.

   Obedience on the part of believers in Christ is an evidence of their faith.

   Truth #3 – God’s sole desire in giving this command to Pharaoh was to allow the children of Israel time and a place to worship him. Israel needed to find out that worship was the key to their relationship with God. The same is true for believers in this present age.

   As you contemplate your daily activities, don’t forget to plan a time for worship.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know that worship is a top priority on your daily agenda. Help me make sure that I set aside a time for worship today. 

What's Your Excuse?

What’s Your Excuse?

Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt. But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:10-11 NLT)

Forty years have passed since Moses killed an Egyptian and fled from the sentence of death placed on him by Pharaoh. His pride and status have been shattered. His occupation is watching over a flock of sheep on the backside of the desert. Suddenly, he sees as amazing sight. A bush is burning, but it is not burning up. No smoke, no ashes, just flame. As he goes over to get a closer look, a mighty voice speaks to him from the midst of the flaming bush.

   The voice says, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” God goes on to tell Moses that he’s seen the suffering of his people Israel. Then he says, “I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:8,10) Did you note that this was not a “request” by God, but a “command?”

   How did Moses respond? Was he willing to take on the task? How do we respond when we are asked by someone in a leadership position to do something for God? Do we like Moses give excuses? Do we say, “Get someone else?” Maybe we’re not quite that blunt. We just say, “I’ll have to pray about it!” (That usually is translated: I don’t want to do it). Or we say, “I don’t feel capable, or I don’t have the time. Or I’m too busy.” These are all similar excuses to what Moses said to the Lord.

   What is an excuse? According to the dictionary, an excuse is “an effort to get released from an obligation.” Why do we give excuses? For me it was always the fear of failure. Once I decided to trust God, the fear would dissipate and God would provide the tools and means to get the job done.

   Don’t be like Moses and say, “Lord, please! Send someone else.” (ex. 4:13) Trust in the Lord and he will supply the need.

Prayer: Dear Lord, don’t allow fear to keep me from serving you.