Page 30 - Living Light Autumn 23

PRAYER FOR TODAY
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Wednesday October 4 - What is that in your hand?
“Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water
so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 14:16
It’s somewhat surprising to hear the Lord’s response to the people’s cry for help (v 15): “Why are you crying out to me?” It’s as if he is saying, “Moses, you have the authority and the power.” This is extremely challenging! Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18), but then continues, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...” As such, Jesus delegates authority and responsibility to his disciples – and ultimately to you and me. Just like Moses, we have the responsibility to present the pathway of salvation to people held captive.
What is in your hand? David had five stones, the widow of Zarephath had a handful of flour, a lad by the Sea of Galilee had five loaves and two fish, the widow at the temple treasury had two small copper coins... Moses looked down and saw nothing but a staff. God told him to raise it over the sea, and in so doing the waters would part and the sea bed become dry.
I ask again, “What do you have in your hand?” It may not seem much, but with God it is more than enough. My wife Carol and I have found that in life, when we give what we’ve got, God gives what he’s got! That must be the best deal ever!
Father, may we trust that with our little and your might you will accomplish remarkable things! Amen.
Thursday October 5 - God works in mysterious ways
“And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.” Exodus 14:17
God works in mysterious ways! And it’s often by using the very thing that threatens us, to inspire victory and bring glory to his name. Praise God! If you stay close to Jesus, ‘no weapon formed against you shall prosper’ (Isaiah 54:17).
When I look back over my life, I see a pattern; God’s grace bringing beauty to something most ugly. It is like a pearl formed inside an oyster; the speck of sand has been made into a thing of beauty. Would a pearl ever have been formed without there first being a speck?
I gave my life to Jesus when I was 27. Before that I was a heavy social drinker. I had a flashy, fast car (more a statement of decadence than a means of transport) but all that was to change. I was arrested for driving under the influence, lost my licence and my car. During the ensuing year, I began to re-evaluate my life; through the witness of my family I began to seek God. The rest is history. Would this have happened had I not been banned? I don’t know, but what I do know is what I lost does not begin to compare with my gaining the ‘pearl of greatest price’ (Matthew 13:46).
The defeat of Pharaoh’s army is remembered by Jews and Christians alike as a testament of the Lord’s grace, power and glory.
Father, I thank you for the ultimate victory – the cross of Calvary, through which the free gift of salvation is available to all mankind. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY