Thinking on the story of a young woman walking from Somalia for four weeks across war-torn territory in the baking sun with her children, the parallels to the great Exodus in the Bible were clearly apparent. In today’s passage (below), even Moses struggled to see how God was working in the depths of His people’s suffering, and this was even before the long forty-year journey began. Moses even had the temerity to blame God. This from the man the Bible says was the most humble man ever to live other than Jesus.
Yet today, as in this passage, God is faithful. He does reach out His hand to protect those in greatest need. He is the Lord of the parting of the Red Sea, of manna and quail and, after what must often have seemed an unendurable journey, the Lord who offers those who are steadfast the promised land to rest in for the end of their days.
Today’s Prayer
Lord, protect those blighted from famine. Give them strength and fortitude to begin their journey. Sustain them with your supernatural love and energy throughout their travels. Be their shield against those who would cause them harm. Send your spirit to walk alongside them. To comfort and guide them. To ensure they never give up. Let them reach their destination safely, O Lord. Hear their cries and bring them to places of safety. Fill them with your living water, so they may never thirst again. We ask that you move mightily to help our African brothers and sisters, O Lord. Carry their pain and transform their land into one of great bounty.
In Jesus’ Name we ask this.
Amen
Exodus 5:22 - 6:8
Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”
God also said to Moses, “I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself fully known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’”