SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR JANUARY 20, 2023 (THE BLIND EYES OF UNBELIVERS)
TOPIC: THE BLIND EYES OF UNBELIVERS
OPENING PRAYER: Plant my steps in the sure promises of your word today, dear Lord.
SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 5: 1-21
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
• Q 7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
MESSAGE
Let us look at it from the perspective of Pharaoh. His question in v.2 is perfectly reasonable. Surely, he would not declare a three-day holiday for ALL his slaves simply because two agitators claim they should worship a God who is invisible to the naked eye! And so, his reaction in vs.4-5 is not as bad as it appears to us. In the same manner, we should try to look at the reasoning of unbelievers from their own perspective. It is not entirely their fault that they cannot see spiritual realities the way we do (1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). This truth should teach us to be patient in our discussions and interactions with them.
The punishment Pharaoh gave to the Israelites was very harsh. Straw is the reinforcement which gives mud bricks the property of stone after being baked in the desert sun. It did not grow where the bricks were being made, and now the supply was cut off. The children of Israel had to add straw harvesting to their regular tasks (vs.10-13); and they had Moses and Aaron to blame for it! Their reaction is perfectly understandable (vs.19-21). Unbeknown to them, however, it is only the beginning of their deliverance.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you still open blind eyes today, and that you opened mine!
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Isaiah 40:31
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Genesis 34, 35, Psalms 15.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Fri, 20-Jan-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
FAILURE: SUCCESS TURNED INSIDE OUT
As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. – Psalm 18:30
THANK GOD FOR:
► His plans for our welfare and the assurance to give us a future and a hope.
► His positive thoughts towards us that are too numerous to count.
PRAY FOR:
► The revelation of God’s word and plan us that are too numerous to count.
► God’s wisdom and grace to help us wait because after darkness, comes light.
► Deliberate decision to commit our work to the Lord so He can establish our plans.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Going contrary to God’s will of waiting for Him even in adverse situations.
► Not being patient to allow God accomplish His good pleasure and establish His purpose in our lives.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 20th January 2023. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
