The story about the woman touching his clothes and being healed is one of my favorite stories. Skillet (the band, not the cooking tool) wrote a song about it, and it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s from one of their first albums and it remains one of my favorites to this day.
such a good read! reading about what happened in exodus and the parting of the red sea just makes you just say wow! we serve such a powerful God who will fight for us. “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.””
Exodus 14:14 NLT
love this verse.
such a good read! reading about what happened in exodus and the parting of the red sea just iswe serve such a powerful God who will fight for us. “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.””
Exodus 14:14 NLT
love this verse.
I love how God used the victory over the Egyptians to draw more Israelites to Him. And how God specifically tells the Israelites that He heals them if they obey and put their trust in Him.
Love Exodus 15:13
With your faithful love, you will lead the people you have redeemed; you will guide them to your holy dwelling with your strength!
He’s faithful to guide us by his spirit!
Sometimes we forget or choose to ignore how powerful God is. If he decide a to stretch out his hands over his enemies they will drop dead! That is the God who we have on our side.
In verse 22, Jesus calls her “daughter”. Made me think that this woman could have been alone because of her discharge and no one to love her, not even family. The fact that Jesus not only met her physical need but he knew her emotional need as well, to belong and be loved.
23And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. “
God eating with sinners and tax collectors is such an encouraging thing to read. God is hear for us, no matter the comparisons we make about ourselves next to others. God loves us, and has great plans for us, we don’t have to do anything special or be anyone amazing to earn it.
I found these four points from Matthew Henry’s commentary on Ex 12 very helpful in thinking through the symbolism of the Passover:
(1.) It was to be a lamb; and Christ is the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29), often in the Revelation called the Lamb, meek and innocent as a lamb, dumb before the shearers, before the butchers.
(2.) It was to be a male of the first year (v. 5), in its prime; Christ offered up himself in the midst of his days, not in infancy with the babes of Bethlehem. It denotes the strength and sufficiency of the Lord Jesus, on whom our help was laid.
(3.) It was to be without blemish (v. 5), denoting the purity of the Lord Jesus, a Lamb without spot, 1 Pt. 1:19. The judge that condemned him (as if his trial were only like the scrutiny that was made concerning the sacrifices, whether they were without blemish or no) pronounced him innocent.
(4.) It was to be set apart four days before (v. 3, 6), denoting the designation of the Lord Jesus to be a Saviour, both in the purpose and in the promise. It is very observable that as Christ was crucified at the passover, so he solemnly entered into Jerusalem four days before, the very day that the paschal lamb was set apart.
(5.) It was to be slain, and roasted with fire (v. 6-9), denoting the exquisite sufferings of the Lord Jesus, even unto death, the death of the cross. The wrath of God is as fire, and Christ was made a curse for us.
(6.) It was to be killed by the whole congregation between the two evenings, that is, between three o’clock and six. Christ suffered in the end of the world (Heb. 9:26), by the hand of the Jews, the whole multitude of them (Lu. 23:18), and for the good of all his spiritual Israel.
(7.) Not a bone of it must be broken (v. 46), which is expressly said to be fulfilled in Christ (Jn. 19:33, 36), denoting the unbroken strength of the Lord Jesus.
2. The sprinkling of the blood was typical.
(1.) It was not enough that the blood of the lamb was shed, but it must be sprinkled, denoting the application of the merits of Christ’s death to our souls; we must receive the atonement, Rom. 5:11.
(2.) It was to be sprinkled with a bunch of hyssop (v. 22) dipped in the basin. The everlasting covenant, like the basin, in the conservatory of this blood, the benefits and privileges purchased by it are laid up for us there; faith is the bunch of hyssop by which we apply the promises to ourselves and the benefits of the blood of Christ laid up in them.
(3.) It was to be sprinkled upon the door-posts, denoting the open profession we are to make of faith in Christ, and obedience to him, as those that are not ashamed to own our dependence upon him. The mark of the beast may be received on the forehead or in the right hand, but the seal of the Lamb is always in the forehead, Rev. 7:3. There is a back-way to hell, but no back-way to heaven; no, the only way to this is a high-way, Isa. 35:8.
(4.) It was to be sprinkled upon the lintel and the sideposts, but not upon the threshold (v. 7), which cautions us to take heed of trampling under foot the blood of the covenant, Heb. 10:29. It is precious blood, and must be precious to us.
(5.) The blood, thus sprinkled, was a means of the preservation of the Israelites from the destroying angel, who had nothing to do where the blood was. If the blood of Christ be sprinkled upon our consciences, it will be our protection from the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the damnation of hell, Rom. 8:1.
3. The solemnly eating of the lamb was typical of our gospel-duty to Christ.
(1.) The paschal lamb was killed, not to be looked upon only, but to be fed upon; so we must by faith make Christ ours, as we do that which we eat, and we must receive spiritual strength and nourishment from him, as from our food, and have delight and satisfaction in him, as we have in eating and drinking when we are hungry or thirsty: see Jn. 6:53-55.
(2.) It was to be all eaten; those that by faith feed upon Christ must feed upon a whole Christ; they must take Christ and his yoke, Christ and his cross, as well as Christ and his crown. Is Christ divided? Those hat gather much of Christ will have nothing over.
(3.) It was to be eaten immediately, not deferred till morning, v. 10. To-day Christ is offered, and is to be accepted while it is called to-day, before we sleep the sleep of death.
(4.) It was to be eaten with bitter herbs (v. 8), in remembrance of the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt. We must feed upon Christ with sorrow and brokenness of heart, in remembrance of sin; this will give an admirable relish to the paschal lamb. Christ will be sweet to us if sin be bitter.
(5.) It was to be eaten in a departing posture (v. 11); when we feed upon Christ by faith we must absolutely forsake the rule and dominion of sin, shake off Pharaoh’s yoke; and we must sit loose to the world, and every thing in it, forsake all for Christ, and reckon it no bad bargain, Heb. 13:13, 14.
4. The feast of unleavened bread was typical of the Christian life, 1 Co. 5:7, 8. Having received Christ Jesus the Lord,
(1.) We must keep a feast in holy joy, continually delighting ourselves in Christ Jesus; no manner of work must be done (v. 16), no care admitted or indulged, inconsistent with, or prejudicial to, this holy joy: if true believers have not a continual feast, it is their own fault.
(2.) It must be a feast of unleavened bread, kept in charity, without the leaven of malice, and in sincerity, without the leaven of hypocrisy. The law was very strict as to the passover, and the Jews were so in their usages, that no leaven should be found in their houses, v. 19. All the old leaven of sin must be put far from us, with the utmost caution and abhorrence, if we would keep the feast of a holy life to the honour of Christ.
(3.) It was by an ordinance for ever (v. 17); as long as we live, we must continue feeding upon Christ and rejoicing in him, always making thankful mention of the great things he has done for us.
Matthew 9:12 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
I really love this line – because it speaks so truthfully about those who need the help. It’s not the clean and righteous who need the help of the Lord but those who still have yet to find Him and be enlightened.
Exodus 14: 13-14 really reminds me to give it all to God. It is tiresome fighting my own battles and I often forget that I have the best person with me to fight them for me!
I really liked today’s passages. In Exodus, it was clear what God’s purpose had been all along: to bring glory to His name. His plan for the Israelites shone through in Ex14:31 “Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.”
As for Matthew, I’ve read this book before but Jesus’ compassion and grace really stood out to me today. 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” And later in 9:13 “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” He came down to save sinners and the righteous alike. Just a reminder that Jesus knows we can’t be perfect. He came down to save us sinners! He is incredibly merciful – so grateful for Him today
I don’t have commentary in front of me, but the “right hand” is the place of honor and authority. The guest of highest honor would always sit at the right hand of the king during a meal. Thus the right hand represents that level of respect and authority. Great question!
So encouraged by God’s mercy to understand our frame so tied to the cycle of hours and days that He doesn’t expect perfection when they begin to thirst – even just three days after an international, supernatural deliverance
I loved today’s passages. Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” This was true for the Israelites and is true for us today. We spend so much time worrying as if by doing so we ward off those things we worry about. Our God is infinitely bigger than the tiny things we worry about. They may be big to us but not to our God. Let’s be still and allow God to be God. Trust that he will never leave or forsake us.
I love the central theme in today’s readings in exodus and Matthew of healing. My favorite name of God is “The Great Physician”. I am about to start nursing school so this attribute of God is one that is very dear to me. Such a great reminder too since cancer and disease seems to be getting everyone nowadays.
Congratulations in starting nursing school. Praying for this amazing journey & the lives you will be able to touch not only through your strength but the “Great Physician” strength!
I often wonder- why is it important to point out that Jesus did not want the news of his works to spread yet no one could keep their mouths shut. I like to believe it was part of his plan but do not understand the point of saying don’t tell.
I think it helps validate that when God changes someone they can’t help tell others. So different from today’s miracle workers who like to tell others what miracles “they performed” … rather than having the affected one bear witness to Jesus touch and power. Changed people are Gods best witnesses!
I think (but not 100% sure) that it was all to do with ‘appointed timing’ and the timing and way in which He was to rescue the people. Obviously news of His work was traveling, but to these ones He healed, He asked them not to speak. Remember that verse about how the people wanted to make Him their king by force? They were looking for a political leader to rescue them from the Romans, and He as a charismatic leader looked like hope to the people. However His timing and the way He was to become leader was entirely different – by going through Gethsemane and Calvary to buy their eternal redemption into God’s kingdom that He was proclaiming and revealing to them. Hence not wanting the healed and delivered to speak openly.
Footnote: they weren’t very good at ‘not telling’ though! He is so powerful that it is hard not to speak when your life has been changed. I think you asked a great question, and just hope I have given a sense-making answer!
14:13-14 “But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand [still] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” All they had to do was watch God deliver them!
Ah yes, these are the verses that resonated with me today as well! To me it says, stop being so busy with all the things I worry about; stand still and watch the Lord take care of me. He is faithful and he will do it!
Matthew 9 30-31. Does anyone know why when Jesus tells the men NOT to talk of his healing miracle they do it anyway? Is it bc we’re always sinning? I feel like I should be learning a lesson but I’m not sure what it is. Thoughts? Thanks !
Leigh, I think it was because Jesus wasn’t ready to be crucified yet so he didn’t want the Pharisees pursuing after him. Jesus needed to raise Lazarus from the dead and many other wonders. Those are my thoughts on why he instructed the man to not tell anyone. Jesus was willing to save and heal anyone regardless of how dangerous it was for him.
Meaghan – thanks you are right that Jesus still had good works. But why did the blind men disobey and tell when he said tell no one. I was looking at it from the blind man’s perspective. The only thing I can come up with is that we’re all sinners. Even when Jesus gives us a gift (like sight) we’ll turn around and do something Jesus doesn’t want us to do.
God’s word and His timing is so perfect! I was struggling in my mind about an hour before I read today’s reading. I was feeling down and frustrated and even told The Lord that I just wasn’t strong enough to get through some of my problems-and of course…Exodus 14:14 was such a wonderful confirmation of His truth-So encouraging! Thank you Lord!
I am so grateful for this community and the comments. I’m a new mom so I don’t get out that much so it’s helpful to study the bible with SRT sister. I’m having a hard time now. My family is in the process of moving for my husbands job but we don’t know where. I’m having problems with my baby and am just flat out exhausted. It’s difficult to see God’s hand and trust him now. But seeing how he led the Israelites and healed those in Matthew reminds me that even though I don’t understand why and the circumstance don’t add up and seem overwhelming He is still in control. Increase my faith, Lord!
Praying for you both. I don’t have young ones, but one in college and one close to it… We are also in a season of many changes. Moving somewhere soon, yet not sure either. Each season brings its own challenges. Praying for peace and strength for you both! May God’s carry us through. I kept on reflecting on what God told Moses to tell the Israelites when they were questioning things…he told them “move on”. I love those two words. Even when we don’t understand things, we need to continue on.
I absolutely love Exodus 14:14, though as much as this line tugs at my heart strings I feel like I still don’t fully comprehend the weight of the beautiful promise God is making here. I love when his word makes me want to read and study further!
Okay, I am sooo fascinated how perfectly orchestrated the readings are, wow!
In Exodus God reveals himself as *yahweh ropheka*, the God who heals. In Matthew we read about so many people who were healed, and I just love Matthew 9:12 “it’s not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick” isn’t that beautiful? God is the God who heals and He comes to those who need healing :)
Yes! I love that the passage in Exodus where God reveals His name: the God who Heals–that it so perfectly lines up with what Jesus is doing in Matthew. He is a God who heals and restores us in every way! I love in one day’s reading we see Him as a Healer in both testaments! If that was His name then, it is still His name now.
I know a lot of comments have been talking about this, but I too am really concerned and don’t like how God says he hardens pharaoh a heart… That may mean that pharaoh was stubborn and hardened his own heart, but we can’t avoid certain passages like today’s where God explicitly and clearly says he hardens pharaohs heart. I really don’t like that… I know God doesn’t just flippantly harden people’s hearts for fun.. That if he hardened pharaohs heart it was to reveal gods glory and cause isreal to fear and trust Him, and the surrounding nations to know he is for isreal. But still I have some honest questions for God, like well god, how do I know you’re not going to harden my heart? It just doesn’t seem fair… I know it was for israels good but what about pharaohs good and his destiny? There’s some tough questions. But I am thankful that I serve a God who isn’t afraid of or too small to deal with our honest questioning. He can handle it. He wants our honest hearts, questions and all.
This makes me feel uncomfortable as well, Callie. Someone once said to me when I expressed similar worries, that if we are worried about being hardened against God, then we are not – wanting God is enough to not be hardened. Pharaoh did not want the Hebrew God anywhere near him and he didn’t want the Hebrew God to receive glory, but he may have relented for his own selfish reasons to let the Israelites go. Relented because he didn’t like what was happening in his kingdom, because he hated and feared the Hebrews and their God, but had he done so, Pharaoh would have received glory – he was a “good person”, he gave the Israelites what they wanted. God doesn’t receive glory in that, man does. So God made Pharaoh harden his heart against his fellow men and their God because God wanted to prove to the Egyptians and to the Israelites that HE was ALL POWERFUL… Not that sometimes bad men do the right thing for the wrong reasons.
Hi ladies! I’ve been following this study and reading all the comments but I haven’t chimed in until now because I’ve always been a couple of days behind. But I really feel my heart burning here. I’ve been feeling the same discomfort in reading these scriptures, first in Job and now in Exodus. This isn’t the warm fuzzy God that I’ve become so comfortable with. This is God that I don’t understand – his ways or his actions! Lord how would you allow your faithful servant Job to suffer so? How can you not give Pharaoh the freedom to decide for himself whether or not he would let the Israelites go? But something Job said sobers me: “Though he slay me yet I will hope in him; I will surely defend my words to his face.” I can defend my ways to God, plead my case. However, what else can I say but, “I’m willing to suffer and die if it brings you glory,” or “if hardening my heart will bring you glory, go ahead and do it.” His ways are higher than my ways. I respond as Peter did, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” And Mary, “Here am I, servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.”
I don’t know if this is true but maybe God had more reasons for hardening pharaohs heart. I’m thinking that he doesn’t seem to be such a good king and maybe he would have taken new slaves after he had released the israelites, and God maybe wanted to stop pharaoh from doing more terrible things to his own people or to another people. I don’t know but we know that God always sees the whole picture and this story is only told from the israelites perspective
I am really struggling with this as well as I read exodus … It somehow seems incongruent for the God of grace and mercy to purposefully hardened someone’s heart against him an to incite malice on his people…
Sisters, once I questioned my brother where did God come from? He replied back to me by saying, God said “I am who I am”… That honestly gave me utterly peace. God is not just a God that only loves, but he is just, and righteous, and all knowing, and he is “I am who I am”.
Don’t get too troubled by God’s actions. He knows more than we will ever understand here on earth! There are many questions we will only get answers here, but in heaven. If he allowed for His only son to be crucified to bear our sins, I believe the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is minuscule in the scope of things. And I also believe that God would give everyone an opportunity for repentance… Just like Peter denying Jesus 3x, or how about David who murdered a woman’s husband…yet David was considered a “man after God’s own heart”, how about Jonah fleeing from God…and the list continues. Everyone is used to reflect God’s glory, yet not every heart is fashioned the same way, and who can judge the heart better than the creator of that heart?!
“It was there at Marah that the Lord laid before them the following conditions to test their faithfulness to him.” This whole time through each plague and each trial God has shown himself faithful to the Israelites. Now it was their turn to show their faithfulness. This really stood out to me because sometimes despite God showing himself faithful to me in good times and bad I find myself lacking in trust. Dear Lord, my prayer today is that you would help me be more faithful and trusting even when I don’t understand.
All throughout Matthew 9, Jesus is healing sick, bleeding, diseased and even dead people. It’s like God was saying, “look, I will meet you in your mess. You don’t have to clean yourself up in order for me to help and heal you.” Hallelujah!
Today’s reading made me wonder of our “short-term memory”. The Egyptians have an epiphany at one point “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt”. Great point! Too bad they forgot all the other times God had showed them the same thing…not to mention they didn’t pay attention to the unusual water passage on their side!
And how about the Israelites. They listen to everything Moses told them to do when the plagues came. I don’t remember one time of discourse. Yet, when they see Pharaoh’s army behind them (making it very personal), they cry & complain to Moses.
Then… there… is…GOD! I love how He just has every detail covered, yet within His time. First he says “why are you crying out to me…MOVE ON”. Then, the angel that ~already~ has been there “withdrew and went behind”. Then it says “during the last watch of the night the Lord looked down…” He told Moses what to do, He kept watch over the entire situation, and He knew the intended finishing goal: that is, not just save His people, but show the Egyptians who the true God is”…
May we all work harder in not losing sight of God, His timing, His overall goals, and not get stuck in the “short-term memory” version!
Moni, you bring up a great point! I find myself (regrettably) identifying with the Israelites so much, when I forget the things the Lord has already done in my life. May we be a people who REMEMBER!
SRT peeps, If you don’t have Bethel Worship’s new album, you should get it!! The song “no longer slaves” is a a moving translation of this passage from exodus!!
“You split the seas so I could walk right thru it. My fears are drowned in perfect love. You rescued me so I will stand and say I am a child of God!”
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
I love this. Just the question “do you believe I am able?” He didn’t ask if they believed He could or would, but was He able?
I think sometime we forget that just because God doesn’t always answer our prayers as we ask them that we forget that He is “able.” Faith is believing and accepting, regardless of what we see as the outcome. What a beautiful reminder, especially tied with the Exodus reading!
In exodus this morning, God said that “the parting of the sea” was so that EGYPT would see His glory and know that He is God (vs 18)… But I love how His own people were “filled with awe before him and put their faith in the Lord” (vs 31).
I love reading through the stories of the ways of the Lord, because the model of Jesus for how we connect with the Father is astonishing. It seems that He never moved the same way twice! In another place in Scripture it says that Jesus ONLY did and said what He saw the Father saying & doing.
So we have these two very different passages for how the Lord works. In the story of Exodus, the Israelites were told that their deliverance would come if they would just chill out & “stand still.” And it did.
Yet, the woman with the issue of blood met her breakthrough when she KNEW she couldn’t stand still, but HAD to act & reach out to touch Jesus. Her breakthrough came too.
In the areas where we need breakthrough, He also has a plan.
Is He asking us to stand still or to reach out?
I believe that this paints a beautiful picture of the Father inviting us to, like Jesus, ask Him that question and listen to His response. His ways, even in breakthrough moments, are always intended to catalyst a closer walk with Him.
Yes! I love your comment. These two passages parallel each other so well and, I think, speak to different personalities and tendencies. I’m always so inclined to do and move and make plans and then attach God’s name to them. Sitting still and waiting and truly letting God work without me is HARD for me. My current season of life has meant doing just that, though. I love v14 and the reminder to stop moving and doing and working on my own and the certainty that God is fighting on my behalf.
As a child listening to the story of the Israelites wandering the wilderness, I often thought they were just so ungrateful & whiny. Why couldn’t they see all that the Lord has blessed them with & just be grateful for his deliverance? Now as an adult, I find myself often acting like the Israelites & choosing not to see all that I’ve been blessed but only what I don’t have or what God has not yet done for me. Lord, may you open my eyes & change my heart to see all you do & have done for me. Lord, let my gratitude know a depth it has never known before.
So true Cecylin, while reading this I was thinking jeeze… really Israelites? But quickly after thinking that I realized a lot of the times I’m like the Israelites. Ungrateful,
doubtful and whiny. And yet God still has so much compassion and love. He’s got to get annoyed with us with all the complaining and questioning Him but he’s STILL faithful. He’s STILL leading. Wow. Sometimes it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around it because it’s so far and opposite from our human nature (how we would act towards someone or a friend who treated us with doubt or negativity in general). God is so merciful and full of grace. I’m so thankful for that this morning!
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
It really struck me today how Matthew jst got up and followed Jesus without any questions, doubts or fears. Sometimes it is difficult to step out in faith and do something God wants us to do, but Matthew shows us we should just take the step of faith, don’t ask questions.
Lord, I pray that I have the faith and strength to step out in faith when you ask me to follow, even if I don’t know the end point for I know you have a plan for where you are leading me!
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” I need to be more like Jesus and have compassion on the lost!
15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to break camp. 16 As for you, lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
Reminds me of ‘God helps those who help themselves’ – like “Stop standing around praying and worrying and use the brain I gave you!”
“13 In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.”
Oh yes!!! How I needed to read this verse today! The Lord’s leading isn’t always straightforward. I can understand the Israelites horror when the Egyptians started to pursue them. What is God doing??? Can we still trust Him? But the Lord knew *exactly* what He was doing. He brought them to an end of themselves (literally cornered by the Red Sea) That they might see His glory and give praise to Him. He knew the way to lead them to the Promised Land. It was a difficult trouble-filled road, but He walked with them all the way.
I have my own *Egyptians* chasing me right now. I’m just about at an end facing a sea of trouble. I’m struggling to see God’s hand in these panic attacks as they become more and more debilitating. I want my deliverance to just be quick and final!!!! But in His strength He is guiding me home. And He knows the path that will bring me safely to the Promised Land. It’s time to shut my complaining mouth and just be still. Waiting for Him to act. And act He will. Maybe not in the way I expected, but in the way that is *truly* best for me.
God is on the throne. He’s in control. He loves me. It’s time to trust.
Amen! Thank you for sharing. Such God given perspective you have in the midst of trouble. Praying for His continued grace for you Jess until His deliverance comes.
Struck by verse 14 to ‘be still’. Each day Jess I read your comments and it gives me encouragement and insight. God is using your personality and situation to reveal His glory and purpose. Look towards your promised land, a place of wellness, and hold onto the fact that He is with you every step guiding your way. Last year my daughter could barely walk or function unaided, diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it was heart wrenching and physically and emotionally draining at the time. However God does not give you more than you can endure, our faith and trust in God increased, and we were blessed with complete miraculous healing for her. Troubles come, just like they did for the Israelites, stay steadfast remembering Gods promises and moving forward towards Him He will give you strength for each new day. Sending love x
Jess, I have been reading your comments on here for awhile now and never comment. But today, your words really touched me. For a long season, I struggled with several panic attacks a week. My dad had passed away, my mom had died the year before (both too young and both from cancer), we were cleaning out and selling their home where I grew up, I was trying to hold my head above water–there was no control in my life. The panic attacks were debilitating. I hear you loud and clear. My only hope during that time was a sweet counselor who listened to me and God. At times I didn’t have words except for ‘help,’ but he heard me. Praying for you today that you find peace.
God creates ways we cannot see.
The story about the woman touching his clothes and being healed is one of my favorite stories. Skillet (the band, not the cooking tool) wrote a song about it, and it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s from one of their first albums and it remains one of my favorites to this day.
such a good read! reading about what happened in exodus and the parting of the red sea just makes you just say wow! we serve such a powerful God who will fight for us. “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.””
Exodus 14:14 NLT
love this verse.
such a good read! reading about what happened in exodus and the parting of the red sea just iswe serve such a powerful God who will fight for us. “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.””
Exodus 14:14 NLT
love this verse.
Such a good reminder of what a great God we serve!!
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I love how God used the victory over the Egyptians to draw more Israelites to Him. And how God specifically tells the Israelites that He heals them if they obey and put their trust in Him.
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Yes!
14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
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14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
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May our faith be strong so Jesus will cover us. ♥️
God healed the man and covered their sins – come follow me
Love Exodus 15:13
With your faithful love, you will lead the people you have redeemed; you will guide them to your holy dwelling with your strength!
He’s faithful to guide us by his spirit!
Day 50! Praise God for His Word that brings comfort and peace. No better way to start off the day!
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13“You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
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Our faith has healed us!
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“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” ❤️
Faith comes before healing
Sometimes we forget or choose to ignore how powerful God is. If he decide a to stretch out his hands over his enemies they will drop dead! That is the God who we have on our side.
Amen!
50 :)
In verse 22, Jesus calls her “daughter”. Made me think that this woman could have been alone because of her discharge and no one to love her, not even family. The fact that Jesus not only met her physical need but he knew her emotional need as well, to belong and be loved.
Wow …!
Amazing!
i pray that i will always be able to follow God no matter what -ellie
This passage in Exodus was so helpful for me to see that God is rightly about His glory. May we pray and desire His glory above all else as well.
23And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. “
God eating with sinners and tax collectors is such an encouraging thing to read. God is hear for us, no matter the comparisons we make about ourselves next to others. God loves us, and has great plans for us, we don’t have to do anything special or be anyone amazing to earn it.
I found these four points from Matthew Henry’s commentary on Ex 12 very helpful in thinking through the symbolism of the Passover:
(1.) It was to be a lamb; and Christ is the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29), often in the Revelation called the Lamb, meek and innocent as a lamb, dumb before the shearers, before the butchers.
(2.) It was to be a male of the first year (v. 5), in its prime; Christ offered up himself in the midst of his days, not in infancy with the babes of Bethlehem. It denotes the strength and sufficiency of the Lord Jesus, on whom our help was laid.
(3.) It was to be without blemish (v. 5), denoting the purity of the Lord Jesus, a Lamb without spot, 1 Pt. 1:19. The judge that condemned him (as if his trial were only like the scrutiny that was made concerning the sacrifices, whether they were without blemish or no) pronounced him innocent.
(4.) It was to be set apart four days before (v. 3, 6), denoting the designation of the Lord Jesus to be a Saviour, both in the purpose and in the promise. It is very observable that as Christ was crucified at the passover, so he solemnly entered into Jerusalem four days before, the very day that the paschal lamb was set apart.
(5.) It was to be slain, and roasted with fire (v. 6-9), denoting the exquisite sufferings of the Lord Jesus, even unto death, the death of the cross. The wrath of God is as fire, and Christ was made a curse for us.
(6.) It was to be killed by the whole congregation between the two evenings, that is, between three o’clock and six. Christ suffered in the end of the world (Heb. 9:26), by the hand of the Jews, the whole multitude of them (Lu. 23:18), and for the good of all his spiritual Israel.
(7.) Not a bone of it must be broken (v. 46), which is expressly said to be fulfilled in Christ (Jn. 19:33, 36), denoting the unbroken strength of the Lord Jesus.
2. The sprinkling of the blood was typical.
(1.) It was not enough that the blood of the lamb was shed, but it must be sprinkled, denoting the application of the merits of Christ’s death to our souls; we must receive the atonement, Rom. 5:11.
(2.) It was to be sprinkled with a bunch of hyssop (v. 22) dipped in the basin. The everlasting covenant, like the basin, in the conservatory of this blood, the benefits and privileges purchased by it are laid up for us there; faith is the bunch of hyssop by which we apply the promises to ourselves and the benefits of the blood of Christ laid up in them.
(3.) It was to be sprinkled upon the door-posts, denoting the open profession we are to make of faith in Christ, and obedience to him, as those that are not ashamed to own our dependence upon him. The mark of the beast may be received on the forehead or in the right hand, but the seal of the Lamb is always in the forehead, Rev. 7:3. There is a back-way to hell, but no back-way to heaven; no, the only way to this is a high-way, Isa. 35:8.
(4.) It was to be sprinkled upon the lintel and the sideposts, but not upon the threshold (v. 7), which cautions us to take heed of trampling under foot the blood of the covenant, Heb. 10:29. It is precious blood, and must be precious to us.
(5.) The blood, thus sprinkled, was a means of the preservation of the Israelites from the destroying angel, who had nothing to do where the blood was. If the blood of Christ be sprinkled upon our consciences, it will be our protection from the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the damnation of hell, Rom. 8:1.
3. The solemnly eating of the lamb was typical of our gospel-duty to Christ.
(1.) The paschal lamb was killed, not to be looked upon only, but to be fed upon; so we must by faith make Christ ours, as we do that which we eat, and we must receive spiritual strength and nourishment from him, as from our food, and have delight and satisfaction in him, as we have in eating and drinking when we are hungry or thirsty: see Jn. 6:53-55.
(2.) It was to be all eaten; those that by faith feed upon Christ must feed upon a whole Christ; they must take Christ and his yoke, Christ and his cross, as well as Christ and his crown. Is Christ divided? Those hat gather much of Christ will have nothing over.
(3.) It was to be eaten immediately, not deferred till morning, v. 10. To-day Christ is offered, and is to be accepted while it is called to-day, before we sleep the sleep of death.
(4.) It was to be eaten with bitter herbs (v. 8), in remembrance of the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt. We must feed upon Christ with sorrow and brokenness of heart, in remembrance of sin; this will give an admirable relish to the paschal lamb. Christ will be sweet to us if sin be bitter.
(5.) It was to be eaten in a departing posture (v. 11); when we feed upon Christ by faith we must absolutely forsake the rule and dominion of sin, shake off Pharaoh’s yoke; and we must sit loose to the world, and every thing in it, forsake all for Christ, and reckon it no bad bargain, Heb. 13:13, 14.
4. The feast of unleavened bread was typical of the Christian life, 1 Co. 5:7, 8. Having received Christ Jesus the Lord,
(1.) We must keep a feast in holy joy, continually delighting ourselves in Christ Jesus; no manner of work must be done (v. 16), no care admitted or indulged, inconsistent with, or prejudicial to, this holy joy: if true believers have not a continual feast, it is their own fault.
(2.) It must be a feast of unleavened bread, kept in charity, without the leaven of malice, and in sincerity, without the leaven of hypocrisy. The law was very strict as to the passover, and the Jews were so in their usages, that no leaven should be found in their houses, v. 19. All the old leaven of sin must be put far from us, with the utmost caution and abhorrence, if we would keep the feast of a holy life to the honour of Christ.
(3.) It was by an ordinance for ever (v. 17); as long as we live, we must continue feeding upon Christ and rejoicing in him, always making thankful mention of the great things he has done for us.
Done❤️
❤️
If you will diligently listen to what the Lord your God says…..
wow! Diligence!
Stand firm is key
Matthew 9:12 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
I really love this line – because it speaks so truthfully about those who need the help. It’s not the clean and righteous who need the help of the Lord but those who still have yet to find Him and be enlightened.
Matthew 9:13b “For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” ❤️
11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Exodus 14: 13-14 really reminds me to give it all to God. It is tiresome fighting my own battles and I often forget that I have the best person with me to fight them for me!
Thanks for sharing Rachel!
I really liked today’s passages. In Exodus, it was clear what God’s purpose had been all along: to bring glory to His name. His plan for the Israelites shone through in Ex14:31 “Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.”
As for Matthew, I’ve read this book before but Jesus’ compassion and grace really stood out to me today. 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” And later in 9:13 “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” He came down to save sinners and the righteous alike. Just a reminder that Jesus knows we can’t be perfect. He came down to save us sinners! He is incredibly merciful – so grateful for Him today
Curious as to why the bible always talks about Gods right hand
I don’t have commentary in front of me, but the “right hand” is the place of honor and authority. The guest of highest honor would always sit at the right hand of the king during a meal. Thus the right hand represents that level of respect and authority. Great question!
So encouraged by God’s mercy to understand our frame so tied to the cycle of hours and days that He doesn’t expect perfection when they begin to thirst – even just three days after an international, supernatural deliverance
I loved today’s passages. Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” This was true for the Israelites and is true for us today. We spend so much time worrying as if by doing so we ward off those things we worry about. Our God is infinitely bigger than the tiny things we worry about. They may be big to us but not to our God. Let’s be still and allow God to be God. Trust that he will never leave or forsake us.
I definitely needed this post today! To read your comment? This just drives it home that he is fighting for me! Me! I don’t deserve it, but he is!
13 In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
I love the central theme in today’s readings in exodus and Matthew of healing. My favorite name of God is “The Great Physician”. I am about to start nursing school so this attribute of God is one that is very dear to me. Such a great reminder too since cancer and disease seems to be getting everyone nowadays.
Congratulations in starting nursing school. Praying for this amazing journey & the lives you will be able to touch not only through your strength but the “Great Physician” strength!
Good stuff.
I often wonder- why is it important to point out that Jesus did not want the news of his works to spread yet no one could keep their mouths shut. I like to believe it was part of his plan but do not understand the point of saying don’t tell.
I think it helps validate that when God changes someone they can’t help tell others. So different from today’s miracle workers who like to tell others what miracles “they performed” … rather than having the affected one bear witness to Jesus touch and power. Changed people are Gods best witnesses!
I think (but not 100% sure) that it was all to do with ‘appointed timing’ and the timing and way in which He was to rescue the people. Obviously news of His work was traveling, but to these ones He healed, He asked them not to speak. Remember that verse about how the people wanted to make Him their king by force? They were looking for a political leader to rescue them from the Romans, and He as a charismatic leader looked like hope to the people. However His timing and the way He was to become leader was entirely different – by going through Gethsemane and Calvary to buy their eternal redemption into God’s kingdom that He was proclaiming and revealing to them. Hence not wanting the healed and delivered to speak openly.
Footnote: they weren’t very good at ‘not telling’ though! He is so powerful that it is hard not to speak when your life has been changed. I think you asked a great question, and just hope I have given a sense-making answer!
14:13-14 “But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand [still] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” All they had to do was watch God deliver them!
Ah yes, these are the verses that resonated with me today as well! To me it says, stop being so busy with all the things I worry about; stand still and watch the Lord take care of me. He is faithful and he will do it!
Matthew 9 30-31. Does anyone know why when Jesus tells the men NOT to talk of his healing miracle they do it anyway? Is it bc we’re always sinning? I feel like I should be learning a lesson but I’m not sure what it is. Thoughts? Thanks !
Leigh, I think it was because Jesus wasn’t ready to be crucified yet so he didn’t want the Pharisees pursuing after him. Jesus needed to raise Lazarus from the dead and many other wonders. Those are my thoughts on why he instructed the man to not tell anyone. Jesus was willing to save and heal anyone regardless of how dangerous it was for him.
Meaghan – thanks you are right that Jesus still had good works. But why did the blind men disobey and tell when he said tell no one. I was looking at it from the blind man’s perspective. The only thing I can come up with is that we’re all sinners. Even when Jesus gives us a gift (like sight) we’ll turn around and do something Jesus doesn’t want us to do.
God’s word and His timing is so perfect! I was struggling in my mind about an hour before I read today’s reading. I was feeling down and frustrated and even told The Lord that I just wasn’t strong enough to get through some of my problems-and of course…Exodus 14:14 was such a wonderful confirmation of His truth-So encouraging! Thank you Lord!
I am so grateful for this community and the comments. I’m a new mom so I don’t get out that much so it’s helpful to study the bible with SRT sister. I’m having a hard time now. My family is in the process of moving for my husbands job but we don’t know where. I’m having problems with my baby and am just flat out exhausted. It’s difficult to see God’s hand and trust him now. But seeing how he led the Israelites and healed those in Matthew reminds me that even though I don’t understand why and the circumstance don’t add up and seem overwhelming He is still in control. Increase my faith, Lord!
I understand how you feel…I’m a new mom too! I pray you will have peace and encouragement! xo
Praying for you both. I don’t have young ones, but one in college and one close to it… We are also in a season of many changes. Moving somewhere soon, yet not sure either. Each season brings its own challenges. Praying for peace and strength for you both! May God’s carry us through. I kept on reflecting on what God told Moses to tell the Israelites when they were questioning things…he told them “move on”. I love those two words. Even when we don’t understand things, we need to continue on.
Thank you so much ladies. You encouragement and prayers mean a lot to me. I will keep you both in my prayers as well.
I absolutely love Exodus 14:14, though as much as this line tugs at my heart strings I feel like I still don’t fully comprehend the weight of the beautiful promise God is making here. I love when his word makes me want to read and study further!
Okay, I am sooo fascinated how perfectly orchestrated the readings are, wow!
In Exodus God reveals himself as *yahweh ropheka*, the God who heals. In Matthew we read about so many people who were healed, and I just love Matthew 9:12 “it’s not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick” isn’t that beautiful? God is the God who heals and He comes to those who need healing :)
Yes! I love that the passage in Exodus where God reveals His name: the God who Heals–that it so perfectly lines up with what Jesus is doing in Matthew. He is a God who heals and restores us in every way! I love in one day’s reading we see Him as a Healer in both testaments! If that was His name then, it is still His name now.
I know a lot of comments have been talking about this, but I too am really concerned and don’t like how God says he hardens pharaoh a heart… That may mean that pharaoh was stubborn and hardened his own heart, but we can’t avoid certain passages like today’s where God explicitly and clearly says he hardens pharaohs heart. I really don’t like that… I know God doesn’t just flippantly harden people’s hearts for fun.. That if he hardened pharaohs heart it was to reveal gods glory and cause isreal to fear and trust Him, and the surrounding nations to know he is for isreal. But still I have some honest questions for God, like well god, how do I know you’re not going to harden my heart? It just doesn’t seem fair… I know it was for israels good but what about pharaohs good and his destiny? There’s some tough questions. But I am thankful that I serve a God who isn’t afraid of or too small to deal with our honest questioning. He can handle it. He wants our honest hearts, questions and all.
This makes me feel uncomfortable as well, Callie. Someone once said to me when I expressed similar worries, that if we are worried about being hardened against God, then we are not – wanting God is enough to not be hardened. Pharaoh did not want the Hebrew God anywhere near him and he didn’t want the Hebrew God to receive glory, but he may have relented for his own selfish reasons to let the Israelites go. Relented because he didn’t like what was happening in his kingdom, because he hated and feared the Hebrews and their God, but had he done so, Pharaoh would have received glory – he was a “good person”, he gave the Israelites what they wanted. God doesn’t receive glory in that, man does. So God made Pharaoh harden his heart against his fellow men and their God because God wanted to prove to the Egyptians and to the Israelites that HE was ALL POWERFUL… Not that sometimes bad men do the right thing for the wrong reasons.
Hi ladies! I’ve been following this study and reading all the comments but I haven’t chimed in until now because I’ve always been a couple of days behind. But I really feel my heart burning here. I’ve been feeling the same discomfort in reading these scriptures, first in Job and now in Exodus. This isn’t the warm fuzzy God that I’ve become so comfortable with. This is God that I don’t understand – his ways or his actions! Lord how would you allow your faithful servant Job to suffer so? How can you not give Pharaoh the freedom to decide for himself whether or not he would let the Israelites go? But something Job said sobers me: “Though he slay me yet I will hope in him; I will surely defend my words to his face.” I can defend my ways to God, plead my case. However, what else can I say but, “I’m willing to suffer and die if it brings you glory,” or “if hardening my heart will bring you glory, go ahead and do it.” His ways are higher than my ways. I respond as Peter did, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” And Mary, “Here am I, servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.”
Thanks for this :)
I don’t know if this is true but maybe God had more reasons for hardening pharaohs heart. I’m thinking that he doesn’t seem to be such a good king and maybe he would have taken new slaves after he had released the israelites, and God maybe wanted to stop pharaoh from doing more terrible things to his own people or to another people. I don’t know but we know that God always sees the whole picture and this story is only told from the israelites perspective
I am really struggling with this as well as I read exodus … It somehow seems incongruent for the God of grace and mercy to purposefully hardened someone’s heart against him an to incite malice on his people…
Sisters, once I questioned my brother where did God come from? He replied back to me by saying, God said “I am who I am”… That honestly gave me utterly peace. God is not just a God that only loves, but he is just, and righteous, and all knowing, and he is “I am who I am”.
Don’t get too troubled by God’s actions. He knows more than we will ever understand here on earth! There are many questions we will only get answers here, but in heaven. If he allowed for His only son to be crucified to bear our sins, I believe the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is minuscule in the scope of things. And I also believe that God would give everyone an opportunity for repentance… Just like Peter denying Jesus 3x, or how about David who murdered a woman’s husband…yet David was considered a “man after God’s own heart”, how about Jonah fleeing from God…and the list continues. Everyone is used to reflect God’s glory, yet not every heart is fashioned the same way, and who can judge the heart better than the creator of that heart?!
Beautifully put.
“It was there at Marah that the Lord laid before them the following conditions to test their faithfulness to him.” This whole time through each plague and each trial God has shown himself faithful to the Israelites. Now it was their turn to show their faithfulness. This really stood out to me because sometimes despite God showing himself faithful to me in good times and bad I find myself lacking in trust. Dear Lord, my prayer today is that you would help me be more faithful and trusting even when I don’t understand.
All throughout Matthew 9, Jesus is healing sick, bleeding, diseased and even dead people. It’s like God was saying, “look, I will meet you in your mess. You don’t have to clean yourself up in order for me to help and heal you.” Hallelujah!
Amen!
Today’s reading made me wonder of our “short-term memory”. The Egyptians have an epiphany at one point “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt”. Great point! Too bad they forgot all the other times God had showed them the same thing…not to mention they didn’t pay attention to the unusual water passage on their side!
And how about the Israelites. They listen to everything Moses told them to do when the plagues came. I don’t remember one time of discourse. Yet, when they see Pharaoh’s army behind them (making it very personal), they cry & complain to Moses.
Then… there… is…GOD! I love how He just has every detail covered, yet within His time. First he says “why are you crying out to me…MOVE ON”. Then, the angel that ~already~ has been there “withdrew and went behind”. Then it says “during the last watch of the night the Lord looked down…” He told Moses what to do, He kept watch over the entire situation, and He knew the intended finishing goal: that is, not just save His people, but show the Egyptians who the true God is”…
May we all work harder in not losing sight of God, His timing, His overall goals, and not get stuck in the “short-term memory” version!
Moni, you bring up a great point! I find myself (regrettably) identifying with the Israelites so much, when I forget the things the Lord has already done in my life. May we be a people who REMEMBER!
Amen Rachel! I can identify with the Egyptians & Israelites. May we indeed remember, and have a “move on” focus…
SRT peeps, If you don’t have Bethel Worship’s new album, you should get it!! The song “no longer slaves” is a a moving translation of this passage from exodus!!
“You split the seas so I could walk right thru it. My fears are drowned in perfect love. You rescued me so I will stand and say I am a child of God!”
one of my favorite songs on the album, definitely a must buy! ☺
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
I love this. Just the question “do you believe I am able?” He didn’t ask if they believed He could or would, but was He able?
I think sometime we forget that just because God doesn’t always answer our prayers as we ask them that we forget that He is “able.” Faith is believing and accepting, regardless of what we see as the outcome. What a beautiful reminder, especially tied with the Exodus reading!
Thank you for pointing this out!
In exodus this morning, God said that “the parting of the sea” was so that EGYPT would see His glory and know that He is God (vs 18)… But I love how His own people were “filled with awe before him and put their faith in the Lord” (vs 31).
I love reading through the stories of the ways of the Lord, because the model of Jesus for how we connect with the Father is astonishing. It seems that He never moved the same way twice! In another place in Scripture it says that Jesus ONLY did and said what He saw the Father saying & doing.
So we have these two very different passages for how the Lord works. In the story of Exodus, the Israelites were told that their deliverance would come if they would just chill out & “stand still.” And it did.
Yet, the woman with the issue of blood met her breakthrough when she KNEW she couldn’t stand still, but HAD to act & reach out to touch Jesus. Her breakthrough came too.
In the areas where we need breakthrough, He also has a plan.
Is He asking us to stand still or to reach out?
I believe that this paints a beautiful picture of the Father inviting us to, like Jesus, ask Him that question and listen to His response. His ways, even in breakthrough moments, are always intended to catalyst a closer walk with Him.
Yes! I love your comment. These two passages parallel each other so well and, I think, speak to different personalities and tendencies. I’m always so inclined to do and move and make plans and then attach God’s name to them. Sitting still and waiting and truly letting God work without me is HARD for me. My current season of life has meant doing just that, though. I love v14 and the reminder to stop moving and doing and working on my own and the certainty that God is fighting on my behalf.
Great insight!
As a child listening to the story of the Israelites wandering the wilderness, I often thought they were just so ungrateful & whiny. Why couldn’t they see all that the Lord has blessed them with & just be grateful for his deliverance? Now as an adult, I find myself often acting like the Israelites & choosing not to see all that I’ve been blessed but only what I don’t have or what God has not yet done for me. Lord, may you open my eyes & change my heart to see all you do & have done for me. Lord, let my gratitude know a depth it has never known before.
I remember thinking of that too. Definitely a sassy “How could they?!” thought came to mind a time or two.
So true Cecylin, while reading this I was thinking jeeze… really Israelites? But quickly after thinking that I realized a lot of the times I’m like the Israelites. Ungrateful,
doubtful and whiny. And yet God still has so much compassion and love. He’s got to get annoyed with us with all the complaining and questioning Him but he’s STILL faithful. He’s STILL leading. Wow. Sometimes it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around it because it’s so far and opposite from our human nature (how we would act towards someone or a friend who treated us with doubt or negativity in general). God is so merciful and full of grace. I’m so thankful for that this morning!
(I accidentally hit post before I was done ha) :)
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
It really struck me today how Matthew jst got up and followed Jesus without any questions, doubts or fears. Sometimes it is difficult to step out in faith and do something God wants us to do, but Matthew shows us we should just take the step of faith, don’t ask questions.
Lord, I pray that I have the faith and strength to step out in faith when you ask me to follow, even if I don’t know the end point for I know you have a plan for where you are leading me!
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” I need to be more like Jesus and have compassion on the lost!
Lord, give us Your heart!
Yes, I pray that I see others as Jesus does
Compassion. Such a special way of looking at people. He saw their need. And He was moved to help
15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to break camp. 16 As for you, lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
Reminds me of ‘God helps those who help themselves’ – like “Stop standing around praying and worrying and use the brain I gave you!”
“13 In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.”
Oh yes!!! How I needed to read this verse today! The Lord’s leading isn’t always straightforward. I can understand the Israelites horror when the Egyptians started to pursue them. What is God doing??? Can we still trust Him? But the Lord knew *exactly* what He was doing. He brought them to an end of themselves (literally cornered by the Red Sea) That they might see His glory and give praise to Him. He knew the way to lead them to the Promised Land. It was a difficult trouble-filled road, but He walked with them all the way.
I have my own *Egyptians* chasing me right now. I’m just about at an end facing a sea of trouble. I’m struggling to see God’s hand in these panic attacks as they become more and more debilitating. I want my deliverance to just be quick and final!!!! But in His strength He is guiding me home. And He knows the path that will bring me safely to the Promised Land. It’s time to shut my complaining mouth and just be still. Waiting for Him to act. And act He will. Maybe not in the way I expected, but in the way that is *truly* best for me.
God is on the throne. He’s in control. He loves me. It’s time to trust.
Amen! Thank you for sharing. Such God given perspective you have in the midst of trouble. Praying for His continued grace for you Jess until His deliverance comes.
Struck by verse 14 to ‘be still’. Each day Jess I read your comments and it gives me encouragement and insight. God is using your personality and situation to reveal His glory and purpose. Look towards your promised land, a place of wellness, and hold onto the fact that He is with you every step guiding your way. Last year my daughter could barely walk or function unaided, diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it was heart wrenching and physically and emotionally draining at the time. However God does not give you more than you can endure, our faith and trust in God increased, and we were blessed with complete miraculous healing for her. Troubles come, just like they did for the Israelites, stay steadfast remembering Gods promises and moving forward towards Him He will give you strength for each new day. Sending love x
Jess, I have been reading your comments on here for awhile now and never comment. But today, your words really touched me. For a long season, I struggled with several panic attacks a week. My dad had passed away, my mom had died the year before (both too young and both from cancer), we were cleaning out and selling their home where I grew up, I was trying to hold my head above water–there was no control in my life. The panic attacks were debilitating. I hear you loud and clear. My only hope during that time was a sweet counselor who listened to me and God. At times I didn’t have words except for ‘help,’ but he heard me. Praying for you today that you find peace.
Praying for you Jess. You bless me every day.
Praying for you today Jess. Praying that you will feel the Lord rejoicing over you with singing.
Jess, I always enjoy reading what you have to say.. You have such amazing insight!
You ladies are so kind. Your comments are lovely and encouraging ❤️