Key Verse: Exodus 7:5
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

God’s purposes will be carried out in His timing, with or without the willing co-operation of His people, and in spite of the opposition of His enemies. Please look up and read Psalm 105:26-36 where the plagues that came upon the Egyptians are capsulized. Pharaoh set himself to oppose God’s purposes. Pharaoh does not win this battle. I recommend also that we read Revelation 15 & 16. The plagues listed in Revelation are in the future and come upon mankind to fulfill God’s purposes. “God is Love” (1 John 4:8), and it must hurt Him far more than we can conceive when He must allow judgment, which people bring upon themselves, so that His purposes come to pass. As our Father, He knows what is best for His children, and He will do what is right for time and for eternity.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord God, I humbly ask for Your grace that I may fulfill Your purposes in obedience to Your will. I understand so very little about Your ways in which You do things; but I’m trusting You that “Your will may be done in earth as it is in Heaven.” I know that to do Your will cost Jesus of Nazareth His life. Whatever it takes, Lord, I’m Yours forever. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Reynold’s photo for today speaks to me of the fact that the Children of Israel made it to the Promised Land twice (in ancient AND modern times). The first time 40 years after their deliverance from Egypt and the second time after the demonic anti-semitism of Hitler and others. The first deliverance was 1400 B.C. approximately, and the second in 1948 A.D., when Israel became a sovereign state once again. I remember the first because at family devotions we read the words of Moses, and the second time I remember because we read the Ottawa Citizen newspaper and discussed the purposes of God for His ancient people (I was almost 12 at the time). When God asks in His Word that we should pray for something, I try to remember to do it. He tells us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). That prayer is sure needed today!

Yours, praying for God’s will to be done in His way and in His timing,

David