SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR JANUARY 21, 2023 (THE GOD OF ENCOURAGEMENT)
TOPIC: THE GOD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Opening Prayer: Sanctify my life dear Lord as I study your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 5:22 – 6:27
MESSAGE
God has not changed in His character or His words. Unfortunately, neither has Moses too changed in his character (5:22-23)! He is still plagued with self-doubt, not realizing that the battle is not his but the Lord’s (compare 1 Samuel 17:47).
Patiently, God reassures him concerning His plans (6:1), shows him of the importance of history (vs.2-5), and showers him with a raft of glorious promises (vs.6-8). It would seem that, in their mutual discouragement, the Israelites and Moses worked together to discourage one another (vs.9-12)! Is it sometimes like that for us as Christians? Or are we like Barnabas in our church, in our community, and in our family (Acts 4:36)?
We have another list of genealogies in this chapter, focusing on the heads of the families of the twelve tribes of Israel (v.14ff). We can pick and choose our friends and change when we want, but our families are given to us by God not only for our entire lives but even beyond! Genealogies such as this in Scripture are a reminder of their importance. God wants us to take our family relationships very seriously (1 Timothy 5:8).
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Check how Jesus Christ re-defined the meaning of family for us in Matthew 12:46-50. How does that apply to you in practice? Now pray for your family members.
Prayer for the week
► Pray for the church of God world-wide that the Lord will encourage.
► The Brethren undergoing persecution that the Lord will help them to endure to the end.
► Pray against every form of discouragement that will stop Christians from evangelizing as instructed by our Master Jesus.
