Exodus 1
ScriptureExodus 1:17The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.Observation - What does it say?God has done what he promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He has made their children ‘exceedingly fruitful’ (verse 7) and their family of 70 has over time become a nation within the nation of Egypt. The Egyptians take notice of their rapid growth and strength and feel threatened. Because Pharaoh feared the ever-growing Israelites, he takes drastic measures to suppress them by forcing them into slavery and commanding the Hebrew (another term for Israelite that arose because Abraham lived for a time in Hebron) midwives to kill the baby boys they delivered.The midwives however, feared God so they let the boys live. And as a result, God was kind to the midwives and blessed them with families of their own (verses 20-21).Understanding - What does it mean?God blesses those who fear him over anyone else. Although Pharaoh could have ordered the midwives to be killed for their outright and deliberate disobedience, there was someone they feared more: God. They were more concerned with pleasing God than any man.This verse struck me because of our tendency to want to please people. How many more souls would be won for Christ if we didn't care what people thought at all and just shared the good news?! This reminds me of the words of Jesus and of the Apostle Paul:Matthew 10:28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
The words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians show that a servant of Christ doesn't try to please people. Ouch! But rather, every Christian seeks to win the approval of God!
Life ApplicationChoose to fear God over pleasing people!
Specifically when it comes to sharing my faith, choose to please God by reaching people instead of trying to please them.
After a month of prayer and fasting and going deeper in our relationship with God, my desire is that we move forward by going deeper in connecting with God's mission! I want to be used by God and live to please him in every moment!
God, give us souls!!! Take away the desires we have to please people that hinder us from being used by you. May we live to please you and shine bright so people will see our good deeds and praise you. May our fear of God always be greater than our fear of man or desire to be liked or praised by people. May the amazing month of prayer and fasting we just concluded produce a season of us each bringing in a harvest of souls! Help us not to go back to life as usual but to continue pressing into you and seeking to please you in all we do! Amen.
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