Freedom

Read Exodus 5:1 through 11:10

Have you noticed that some people reject hope? When presented with a solution to a dilemma, they prefer to remain in the difficult circumstance. It becomes easy to criticize such a person for lacking in faith.

God’s people, enslaved by Pharaoh, displayed such hopelessness. In answer to their cries, the Lord called Moses to facilitate a miraculous removal of the Israelites from Egyptian captivity. However, the message from God failed to inspire hope in their hearts.

Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage (Exodus 6:9).

The Israelites considered the consequences of rebellion against the Egyptians. After many years of suffering at the whips of their masters, their pain refused to let them hope. But Moses persevered beyond his own disappointment, and the Lord dramatically released the Israelites to their destiny as God’s people.

Prayer for Today: Lord, please help me encourage a discouraged friend.

Quicklook: Exodus 6:1–11