OT Fire Starters – Day 23: Exodus 3-5
READ: Exodus 3-5
THINK: What happens when you’ve been faithful to God but still end up in a bad situation? Do you keep trusting God-even as things continue to get worse? Just like the sky is darkest before dawn, God’s greatest miracles often follow intense difficulties. Remember, God’s strength and character are unchanging. He remains the great “I AM”-everything you need Him to be and more. You’re never limited by your weaknesses if you trust God’s to carry you through. You don’t have to be in a cathedral or a mountaintop to be on holy ground. You can experience God’s presence wherever you are. Yet how you respond is up to you. By following God wholeheartedly, you too become holy-set apart for His purpose-not because of anything you’ve done, but because of His presence within you.
RESPOND: How did Moses’ time in the desert differ from his time in Egypt? (See 3:1 note.) How did this time prepare Moses for the future? What was the first character trait that God revealed about himself to Moses, and why? (See 3:5 note.) What did it mean that Moses was on “holy ground”? What is significant about God identifying himself as “I AM WHO I AM”? (See 3:14 note.) Why was Moses reluctant to accept God’s call? Why do people make excuses like this to God? How can God’s reply to Moses reassure you? (See 4:10 note.) How did Pharaoh’s response to God differ from Moses’ response? (See 5:1 note.) How did Pharaoh attempt to distract the Israelites from listening to God’s message (5:8-9)? In what ways does Satan try to distract Jesus’ followers from hearing and responding to God? Why does God often allow things to get more difficult before finishing His plan? (See 5:22 and 5:23 notes.)
PRAY: Give God thanks that He is all you need in every situation. Confess any reluctance you have to following God’s plans and give your fears to Him. Pray that God will help you live with holiness and dependence on Him.
ACT: If you’ve made excuses or been reluctant to following God’s plans, confess your lack of faith, quit making excuses, and do what God wants you to do. If you’ve allowed anyone or anything to distract you from hearing or responding to God, remove the distraction and obey God without further delay. Go through the day with an intense awareness of God’s presence that strengthens your faith and inspires spiritually bold behavior. Determine that all of your thoughts, words and actions will bring honor to Christ.