With conditions as they are in the world, we often wish for assurances. Will things continue as they have in the past, or are there major changes coming? Sometimes when you and I look around us and see all the wars and violence and famines and pestilence, we feel greatly exposed and insecure. Many people all over the world felt that way during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But I am glad to tell you that GOD PRESERVES HIS PEOPLE. Perhaps it does not always appear that way, but it is really true. The Bible gives us this great consolation and truth.
God has not chosen to always keep His people from harm. Some have gone through much suffering for their faith or suffering from some terrible disease. Even now, you may be going through great distress and physical hardship. We believe that God’s love and goodness motivate Him to preserve His own. Even though we may pass through the valley of the shadow of death, we can walk without fear because God is with us. He promised to never leave or forsake us! And He promised to accomplish His work in us through our suffering. That makes the difference, because God will go with you and me through all of our trials and troubles as we trust Him.
The reality of God preserving His people is well demonstrated in the experiences of ancient Israel and ancient Egypt. We are following through the Book of Exodus in these meditations. This message is based on Exodus 9:1-12.
1. Then the LORD said unto Moses, go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, let my people go, that they may serve me.
2. For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,
3. Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
4. And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children of Israel’s.
5. And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, Tomorrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.
6. And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.
7. And Pharaoh sent, and behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
8. And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, take to yourself handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
9. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
10. And they took ashes of the furnace and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
11. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
12. And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
In this Scripture, we see the ACTIONS
