DAY 4, Read Exo.2:23-25
Key Text: “You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand and high is your right hand” (Psalm 89:13).
During the 430 years the children of Israel were in captivity in Egypt, it looked humanly impossible that they would ever be set free from bondage. Initially, when Moses met the elders of Israel to announce his mission to them, they believed him. But later, their optimism gave way to skepticism (Exo.4:31; 5:21; 6:9).
However, two factors led to the display of God’s mighty hand in Egypt before the children of Israel were released. First, their prayers; second, was the covenant God had with Abraham. In Exo.2:23-25, we read that the children of Israel groaned and cried out to God. My thinking is that these prayers were not convenient prayers, but desperate cries that were made unto God. I have often wondered whether the prayers made by the children of Israel were organized by their leaders or it was spontaneous.
It is a fact of life that distress situations, life threatening danger, and suffering provoke us to make desperate prayers to God. God is quick to come to our rescue at such desperate moments. Prayer is an indication of man’s helplessness and man’s need for an omnipotent God. Prayer is our willingness to invite the mighty hand of God into our situation.
Let me restate this fact, the purpose of prayer is not just to get God to answer and meet our endless human needs. God is interested in meeting our needs, but of what purpose is it that after a father satisfies the craving of his child, the child would not have a relationship with him? Therefore, the goal of prayer is first to know God and to have a relationship with Him. It is in the place of prayer we get to know God more intimately, and He would prune us to live holy lives for His glory. In the place of prayer, we gain a better understanding of the plans and purposes of God for us.
We can engage the mighty hand of God through prayer and fasting. This is our goal and pursuit this month. God is eagerly waiting for our prayer before His mighty hand will be revealed in our situation. Bear in mind that, it was when the children of Israel prayed that God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
However, let us not be like Israel who prayed, but when God sent Moses the deliverer, they almost rejected him. They prayed for God’s deliverance, but when difficulties arose on their way in the wilderness they wanted to return to Egypt. They prayed, but murmured when difficulties arose. They cried to God for freedom from slavery, but when they were freed they turned around to worship idols. God’s mighty hand is revealed in difficulties, but His hand also brings challenges.
PRAYER: Father, teach me how best I can engage your mighty hand.
