DAILY READING
REFLECTION
God's Appointed Man
by Diane Ward
I know something of the cost of being uprooted as my dad’s company transferred him often. My seventh-grade school year was divided into three states: Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee. Parents innately know the needs of their children. It would have been easy to lose my way had God not parentally been a guiding force in my life.
Long ago God’s people faced brutal oppression. God appointed Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses was nearly eighty years old when God sought him out and empowered him to serve in a way Moses never could have imagined. Two things are apparent of the calling of Moses: It was an ordinary “tend the sheep workday” and Moses was alone when God revealed himself declaring again his covenant with Abraham.
While wandering alone on the backside of the desert, Moses is halted by the sight of a blazing bush. God meets him with an astonishing commission: “Be my messenger to Pharaoh and lead my people to freedom.” God asks that Moses lay down his staff, a significant tool of his trade that represented his identity and influence. While having heard God say, “take off your sandals you are standing on holy ground,” Moses contends with God, raising one objection after another. God knew Moses was the one to lead the Israelites out of bondage.
God freed the Israelites in his way and in his timing, teaching them about his character to prepare them for something greater. “I will bring back my people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. No longer will they be pulled up from the land I have given them says the Lord your God." (Amos 9:14-15)
Moses died at the age of one hundred and twenty. “God’s man in the center of God’s will is immortal until God is finished with him.” (David Jeremiah)
PRAYER
Jesus, this story of Moses and Aaron and the oppressed people is moving and captivating. How when your people follow your words life is fruitful but still with trouble at times. Your way is best and any challenges we encounter make us stronger. Thank You.
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