SCRIPTURE: Exodus 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. [Exodus 7:1]
Like God…
This brings us back to the beginning, where humans were created in God’s likeness [Genesis 1:26-27].
To represent God in the world – this is what we were created to be and to do.
And this is what Moses is called to do in this sinful world, to be like God to the world.
Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” [John 13:20]
Jesus says that we will be like Jesus to the world, just like Jesus is like God in the world.
Jesus is God with us, the likeness of God among us.
We are restored into His likeness, so that we can represent Him and God in this sinful world.
This is our calling and purpose restored, this is who we are and how we are to live.
Do we have this confidence when we live for Jesus in the world today?
Do we appreciate that God’s power is at work through us, and that our God-powered staff is greater and stronger than any human-powered staff?
Do we focus on our faltering lips, or on His promise to speak through us.
You are like God to your coworkers, to your classmates, to your neighbours.
You and I are His representatives, He makes His appeal and demonstrates His love through us!
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. [2 Corinthians 5:20]
Jesus is absent from the world in His own physical body, but we are His body – His hands, His feet, His lips, His heart.
Like God… Like Jesus…
Maybe we don’t see God’s power work through us because we don’t choose to represent God wherever we are.
Maybe we refuse to drop our staff or open our lips, therefore God’s power is not seen, His message is not heard through us.
We have God standing behind us, but if we don’t step out in faith, we won’t see Him at work…
And neither will others.
PRAYER:
Lord, today You will put me in places where I am to represent You. Give me a boldness, a love and a faith that loosens my lips and activates my hands and feet. For You, like You!
“See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. 2 You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country.”
What powerful words! What a position to be in!
And yet . . . And yet . . . you and I are also in that position. In Peter it states,”But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
God provides a way. He equips His people for His cause. He creates His champions. And I, I must be ready at all times to answer His call . . . to hear His voice . . . and be like a small child . . . like a Samuel . . . and respond, Here I am Lord. Use me.
I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars and night
I will make the darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.
I the Lord of snow and rain
I have borne my people’s pain
I have wept for love of them
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone
Fill their hearts with love alone
I will speak my word to them
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.
I will hold your people in my heart…