Today’s passages: Exodus 10:1-12:13; Matthew 20:1-28; Psalms 25:1-15; Proverbs 6:6-11
That you may know that I am the Lord
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord. – Exodus 10:1-2
Everything that God was doing, all the plagues, the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was not just to change Pharaoh so he would let God’s children go. It was also, maybe even more so, for the Israelites. A sign that the Israelites and their children and their children’s children and all the generations to come would know that He is the Lord. THAT YOU MAY KNOW “that I am the Lord.”
Many are called, but few are chosen
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Many people are called to follow Jesus and do God’s work. God uses all types of people in many different ways. The reason only a few are chosen is that when people are called, they don’t respond, or they choose to ignore the call. Many want Jesus, but they don’t want the duty of following Him. We must go when we are called and do it speedily. If we don’t, we will miss the great opportunity and great blessing of following and serving Him.
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. – Matthew 20:16, 22-23
The Son of Zebedee and their mother did not know what they were asking. When Jesus asked them if they could drink of His cup and be baptized in His baptism, they replied, “We are able.” What was the cup and the baptism? It was a cup and a baptism of suffering for the sake of the Kingdom. It was also a cup of death…the cup of God’s wrath.
It is interesting to note what happened in the lives of these two sons. James was beheaded in Jerusalem. He was the first of the disciples to be martyred. He drank from the cup of death. John did not die a martyr although he gave his life willingly to the Lord to die a martyr, a miracle of God spared him, he was baptized in the baptism of suffering. He was hated and persecuted. He was exiled to the Island of Patmos. In Rome, they tried to kill him by plunging him into boiling oil. But John did not die. He escaped, and because of the miracle and escaped from death, he went on to plant churches and write books of the Bible.
Teach me, O Lord!
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. ~ Psalms 25:4-5
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and testimonies. ~ Psalms 25:10
What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. ~ Psalms 25:12
Oh Lord, give me a holy fear and teach me in the way You choose for me! Teach me Your paths and Your truths, my God!
Provide and Gather
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. ~ Proverbs 6:6-8
Do everything you can today to make sure you have a harvest and be prepared to gather it.
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You have called and chosen and are teaching me. I ask You to give me strength day-by-day to follow and serve You. Help me to hide Your Word today and to get in so deep in my heart that it will do an excellent work and never leave me. Your Word is my bread Lord, and I pray that in season it will bring forth a great harvest. Holy Ghost, I ask You to go where I can’t go and touch those in my family and community that need You. Bring conviction and repentance to our hearts. Bring revival to our homes and churches, and nation. Bring revival to me, Jesus. I know You order my steps, and I ask You to use me as You will today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
a lamp and a light 