January 25
Gen 50-Ex 2:10 | PS 21 | Prov 5:1-6 | Matt 16:13-17:9
We all prefer to take a stroll down Pleasantville, where everyone gets along, everyone is like minded, pleasures abound, and strife seems absent. But this is not our world, our nation, our towns which we find ourselves living in. In this sea of godlessness where right is wrong and wrong is right, is where we find our opportunities to serve God. Are we seeking safety in the midst of chaos, or are we seeking God and the ability to serve Him, no matter what that might cost us. We are given our "Shiphrah and Puah" moments. These midwives did not choose their circumstances. In Exodus 1:15-22, they were given the command by the leader of the world, Pharaoh to kill all of the male children born to the Israelite women. This is a terrible request, and the cost of disobeying Pharaoh could mean their lives. But they seized the opportunity, and spared the children, then lied to Pharaoh. We read in Exodus 1:21, "And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them." This was their opportunity, their moment. We never hear from them again. They feared God over man.
God could use anyone, but He chooses. Are we listening? After an episode of Moses trying to do God's will, his own way, Moses spends forty years in obscurity as a shepherd for his father-in-law in the land of Midian. Not what this well educated, once powerful man dreamed. But it was in this humbled state, that Moses was called into action. We read in Exodus 3:4, " So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” From the midst of a burning bush, in the middle of nowhere, in the midst of obscurity, Moses is called, and answers, "Here I am". When Isaiah is called, we see his reply in Isaiah 6:8, "“Here am I! Send me.” After stepping out, Moses begins to doubt himself, making one excuse after another. But we must remember it is not what we bring to the situation, it is what God brings to the situation through us, as we read in Exodus 4:10-11, "Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." So the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?"
That was their godless cesspool and their opportunity. Now we live in a world with abortion up to one's birthday, transgenderism where people and children are being mutilated in the name of declared identity, schools that teach every "ism" to confuse and distort the image of God, politicians who push one godless agenda after another. We can try to remain hidden, try to play it safe. But these are our times which are full of opportunities. These are our "Shiphrah and Puah" and “Moses” moments. Will we seize them? Not in our strength, but in awe of God, will we care less for ourselves, and seek more to be His vessels at such a time as this (Esther 4:14).
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: