I love how conversational the book of Exodus is. The Israelites’ whole journey of deliverance is marked by God’s steady presence and clear words of instruction spoken to His people through Moses. Or directly to Pharoah, through Moses. It never ceases to amaze me. As I’m sure you’ve experienced, there are so many times in life when God’s presence feels like more of a mystery. But in today’s passage, we know exactly what God is thinking—or at least what He wants to communicate to Pharaoh—because He says it.
“No flies will be there,” says God. “This way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land” (Exodus 8:22). This statement makes me chuckle. It’s such a practical thing to say, isn’t it? There’s nothing that feels mysterious or mystical about flies. It’s just the way God chooses to reveal His presence to Pharaoh and assure him that His people are set apart from the others. The story continues, and so does this pattern. “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land,” says God yet again to the Egyptian leader as the plagues continue to unfold (Exodus 9:5). And it comes to pass. Over and over and over.
This phrase “the LORD [is] in the land” got me thinking: When do I know the Lord is near and present in my surroundings? Is there evidence? Some sign that I, and others, can see or hear? An indescribable deep knowing? Is it different every time, or are there patterns? Are there ways that God consistently reveals Himself to me?
I think there are. Even though the Holy Spirit is always with believers, there still seem to be moments that strike us or when we have an intimate sense of God’s presence and active movement in our lives. For me, it has to do with places full of green pastures and water—or certain words that get repeated often. It’s probably different for you. What we do know from Scripture is that God is with us and always at work, and He wants us to know it. He’ll even make sure our enemies know it, as we see through God’s exchanges with Pharaoh.
How can you tell when God’s “in the land?” Are there patterns to the ways He reminds you of His presence and redeeming work in your life?
For God’s signs and wonders to be shown to the people. It was to the he was Lord. Verses 3-5, help explain it better. I didn’t even realize until a few years ago that
God was the one hardening Pharaohs heart and struggled with that question.
For God’s signs and wonders to be shown to the people. It was to the he was Lord. Verses 3-5, help explain it better. I didn’t even realize until a few years ago that God was the one hardening Pharo
I agree Laura I have often hardened my heart to God too. But you’re right he is always there! After my dad was in accident relating to suicide I remember crying to my mom saying nobody can relate to this and if they do then they don’t speak up. Not five minutes later a guy in the gas station showed me a picture of his dog and told me “She’s the only reason I didn’t take my life a couple years ago”. That was truly a moment I felt Gods presence so strongly. Even when we aren’t always doing our best or feeling like God is there… he’s always there! How awesome.
@Adrienne, my app is messed up as well. It keeps on crashing on both my iPhone and iPad. I really like the app experience when it’s working, but I’ve been using it for years and it’s always been glitchy. I used to take time to email SRT and report the glitches, but I didn’t report this one because it seems that fixing the bugs in the app is not a priority for them. I kept on paying for it because I looked at my subscription as a way of donating to SRT, but I have just cancelled my subscription. I still appreciate SRT’s work, and will continue the devotionals on the website. I just don’t believe in paying for something that no longer brings value to my life and is a constant source of frustration, even if the fee is miniscule.
Today’s Scripture and devotional left me wondering how many times have I hardened my heart towards God. Thankfully, He never abandons us even when we go astray.
Emma B and other who brought it up, the heard heart is the response to God’s revealing of Himself. God does not cause the response,but when one is shown who God is our hearts either soften or harden. And God being who He is knows who will have soft hearts. Like when He called Abraham. Abram had no clue who Yahweh was. But he responded when God called Him.
It is interesting that qhen Moses first went to Pharaoh, he said that he did not know who God was and he was not letting the people go. So God is slow revealing who He is to Pharaoh and the Egyptian people. By the time we get to the plague of gnats, the Egyptian magicians understand who God is and tries to tell Pharaoh, but he digs his heels in even more.
As we continue through the plagues next week watch how the Egyptian people start responding.
Anyway, an analogy I heard once was when butter is exposed to the sun it melts, but when clay is exposed to the sun it gets hard. It is not a perfect picture, but it is a start.
What a packed passage. And great devotional and questions Bailey, I was happy to see your name (as always). I feel the Lord’s presence when I really tune into Him. God’s Spirit is with us always, but the presence of God is something special, very very special, that needs to be cultivated, that needs purity of heart and mind, calmness, serenity for His presence to come, and when His presence comes, power shows up, things move quick and fast, the ways are smoothened out supernaturally. I love it. And I cherish these moments oh so much to have experienced them on both dark and brighter days of my life. I once was driving to work, and I would sing quietly a worship song How great is our God (thanks Churchmouse) (it is my go to song since the lyrics is so simple), I heard a gentle voice telling me to change lane, I wondered why and a few seconds later I saw a huge line of cars on that lane, thankfully I did obey immediately or else I would be late for work. Another time I had a gut feeling to register for a course that God had impressed on me and raised interest in me to pursue, I was back and forth that day, and the next thing was I stumbled on a discount code on that course from the course owner. Not a coincidence. Another time, after having such a rough day, I went into a grocery store to see a favourite/rare houseplant, and the last one available , waiting for me to pick up, this meant so much to me, I stopped and tried not to sob out loud in the middle of the store. These signature move of God manifests in my life as an encouragement and comfort. He usually speaks in ways that appeal to me specifically (house plants that day), and I am sure He speaks to many of us by what’s appealing to us (our heart’s desires) because He loves us. For me, His tangible presence shows up when I worship (like genuine worship of breaking myself down, laying bare before God, I must decrease so He can increase and be lifted high kind of worship), or when my heart is broken by others or in great distress. God comes. I could not count how many times God’s presence moments have happened, and marked the greatest memories of God and I. And no one, no one, can ever step in and tell me that this God doesn’t exist. No one can take away these precious moments that God has shown himself to be as real to me as a person, extremely gentle, not intrusive, yet so powerful, He shows up in ways no one can, moving mountains out of my way. I hope my little snippets can help someone dig into their own memory lane to find these nuggets of gold from God. It’s worth the walk. Praying for our dearly beloved sisters (Kathy, Churchmouse, Tina, Michelle’s friend Bee, Dorothy’s camp trip, Foster Mama and your future foster baby). You all are so precious to me! I hope you know that. And you are billions times more precious to God! Be blessed dear sisters.
The white sandy beaches and crystal emerald water of the Alabama/Florida Panhandle. I feel God there always. Just seeing it each time I go lifts my spirit and I feel the gentle hand of our Lord.