Page 31 - Living Light Autumn 23

Friday October 6 - God’s shield of protection
The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming
between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Exodus 14:19-20
You may feel overwhelmed, worn down by the circumstances of life. Do not despair; God is with you. ‘Magen’ is a name for God, declaring him as ‘God my shield’. David expresses this in Psalm 3:3, ‘You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.’
Above all, God’s people needed to know that the Lord was with them. Dear friend, you are not alone, your God is with you. In 2 Kings 6, Elisha found himself encircled by the armies of Aram. We read, ‘When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha’ (vv 15-17).
I can remember an occasion in the Congo when our vehicle was surrounded by a threatening mob of youths demanding money. Amazingly, I became more aware of God than I was of the danger. God is with you. Hallelujah!
Father, I join with the psalmist in proclaiming, “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust” (Psalm 91:2). Amen.
Saturday October 7 - The Lord's almighty hand
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back... Exodus 14:21
‘Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other...’ (v 20). God separated light from darkness. Darkness heralds confusion: light brings clarity. Paul makes this plain: ‘ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). God’s people are called out of the darkness into the light of his kingdom. This is God’s call for you and me, “Come out of the darkness!”
It was no quick fix – Moses had to hold out his staff throughout the night as the strong wind held back the sea and dried the land. Often our prayer life is just like that; we need to be persistent in the face of adversity. James exhorts us, ‘The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much’ (James 5:16). Prayer gives us the breakthrough, making the seemingly impossible possible. Is there something that confronts you – an immovable mountain? Take heart, dear friend, and hear Jesus’ words once more: “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart... it will be done for them” (Mark 11:23). God alone can make a way where there appears to be no way!
Father, as Moses stood in obedience, you performed a great miracle. Please give me the strength to face opposition and pray in like manner. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY