S) "17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. ...
21 Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them."
Exodus 1:17, 21 (NASB)
O) This seems like a fairly obvious choice, not to kill babies, but I have to imagine it was still very difficult to navigate the decision to disobey a decree from a king. Putting your own life in peril is never easy, regardless of the alternative. But, Jesus said there was no greater love than to lay down your life for another. These midwives were doing exactly that, in a very real way, choosing the lives of these baby boys over their own lives. Here was see God immediately blesses them and protects them.
A) The whole decision begins with appropriated fear. To live with no fears whatsoever is probably insanity, I think. It's unnatrural and not what God calls us to do. I am generally dauntless, but I've also never truly had my life threatened. I think sometimes I get used to being fearless, in a sort of way, and I forget that there are things that could scare me. In addition to that, I forget to appropriately fear God. I think I need to put my mind on how terrifying His power truly is, and how utterly destroyed I would be if I opposed Him. I think, by confronting my fear of God as a way to establish it, I will never fear anyone or anything else by contrast, even if I face things that would truly cause fear in me.
P) Father, I am reminded today how immensely powerful You are. I am completely unworthy and insignificant in Your presence. If not for Your grace and mercy, I would be completely destroyed. If ever I am in a place that my fear of You is less than it should be, LORD, put the fear back in me. I want to fear You more and more so that I will fear everything else, and everyone else, less and less. Reveal to me areas in my life where fear of man or circumstances has crept into my heart and purge them with the knowledge and certainty of a fear of You, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) The whole decision begins with appropriated fear. To live with no fears whatsoever is probably insanity, I think. It's unnatrural and not what God calls us to do. I am generally dauntless, but I've also never truly had my life threatened. I think sometimes I get used to being fearless, in a sort of way, and I forget that there are things that could scare me. In addition to that, I forget to appropriately fear God. I think I need to put my mind on how terrifying His power truly is, and how utterly destroyed I would be if I opposed Him. I think, by confronting my fear of God as a way to establish it, I will never fear anyone or anything else by contrast, even if I face things that would truly cause fear in me.
P) Father, I am reminded today how immensely powerful You are. I am completely unworthy and insignificant in Your presence. If not for Your grace and mercy, I would be completely destroyed. If ever I am in a place that my fear of You is less than it should be, LORD, put the fear back in me. I want to fear You more and more so that I will fear everything else, and everyone else, less and less. Reveal to me areas in my life where fear of man or circumstances has crept into my heart and purge them with the knowledge and certainty of a fear of You, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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