RAISED UP FOR A PURPOSE

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

“Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, so that they may worship me." If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses and donkeys and camels and on your cattle and sheep and goats. But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.' " The Lord set a time and said, "Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land." And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. Pharaoh sent men to investigate and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go. Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on men and animals throughout the land." So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on men and animals. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses. Then the Lord said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Exodus 9:1-16

Pharoah refused to allow the Israelites to go and hold there three day festival to offer sacrifices to God. So God sent a series of plagues upon Egypt, each with the purpose of displaying God’s Almighty, Infinite Power. First the waters of Egypt were turned to blood, then frogs invaded, followed by swarms of gnats and flies. Through all this, Pharoah seemed to waver a couple of times but his heart was never sincere about really letting Israel go to celebrate their God. Each time he promised to allow them to go, it was only to get the current plague to be lifted. He then revealed his lying heart and went back on his word.

As Exodus, Chapter 9 opens with God sending yet another warning to Pharoah via Moses saying, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may worship me.’ If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses and donkeys and camels and on your cattle and sheep and goats. But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die. And the Lord set a time as well, telling Pharoah he would do it tomorrow. Of note, this was the first of the plagues that involved death. The Lord was upping the ante on Pharoah.

Well, the next day came and “all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.” Pharaoh “sent men to investigate and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died” and yet he still refused to give in. And so God took things to another level and brought on human suffering as well.

For we read where Moses and Aaron “took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on men and animals. All of Egypt was afflicted by the festering, infectious, painful sores, a condition that would become life threatening if unchecked. Evidence of how the boils impacted the people came in the magicians who “could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them.” The boils had crippled the Egyptian magic men and none of the gods they summoned could heal and deliver them. Yet, Pharoah still displayed his stubborn refusal to surrender to the will of God. Once again, he was willing to see his family, his people, and himself suffer before he would ever give in to God’s will.

So the Lord sends another message to Pharoah, this time in advance of His most powerful plague yet. The Lord tells Pharoah, “Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Are these not powerful words from the Lord and do they not also speak to us and our lives as the Lord attempts to work His purpose in us, despite our often stubborn refusal to be obedient to Him?

For listen to what the Lord said…”For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." God is telling Pharoah that He didn’t have to send all these plagues on him and Egypt because He could have just sent one that would have wiped them off the earth! Wow! Did you hear that? And what makes us feel like we deserve His mercy any more than Pharoah or Egypt? Frankly, I know I deserved to be wiped off the earth way before now and it’s only by God’s amazing grace that this hasn’t happened. Can I get a witness from you?

So why haven’t we been wiped off the face of creation? Well, let’s look further at the Lord’s word to Pharoah for he says, “I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." The Lord raises us up each day for a purpose…so that His power might be revealed to us and His name proclaimed in all the earth. Each day that we wake, we are raised up for His purpose and, in this, we are to see that His mercies are truly new to us every morning…that His grace is in the very air we breathe…and through this, realize that His glory and power are being revealed. And from that point on each day, we are expected to proclaim the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit to everyone we encounter. Every part of our life is to reflect Him and His goodness.

Question: As you wake, do you truly see yourself as being raised up for a purpose by the very Lord who holds your life in His hand…the same Hand that created you? Do you realize how fortunate you are to have made it to this point in your life despite your sinfulness? Do you know that God could have wiped you off the earth with ease? And yet, you’re still here…reading this writing right now and friends…this is reason to rejoice and give thanks. The Lord has brought you into a new year. He raised you up this morning into 2008. He has shown you His power and mercy and love and grace. Have you realized His power? Have you proclaimed His name this day in all the earth?

If not, there is good news. For the day is not yet done. Won’t you thank Him today for all He has done for you, all He has done for you this day and all He has yet to do for you tomorrow…when he once again raises you up for His purpose. He’s waiting and watching. Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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