“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:8
One of the things many of us are taught growing up is that we should get a good education and find a job to help us fulfill our wants and desires. This isn’t a bad attribute to have; however, when all our focus is on being successful and making a living for ourselves, where can God fit into the equation? Will you be able to listen to His voice and move when He says to go, or will your focus be elsewhere?
Today, I started a new devotional by Connilyn Cossette, my favorite author. After publishing each of her books, Connilyn writes a devotional that matches the theme of her book’s plot and posts it on the Bible app (link below). You don’t have to read her books before starting the devotions; but, who knows, you might be inspired to read them after getting a taste of her amazing talent!
Connilyn’s writings are full of wisdom. After the first day, I’m already feeling pumped and full of words to share. I love how God has given people the gift to write so they can share their pearls of wisdom with the world.
The devotional I’ve started is based on Connilyn’s first novel, Counted with the Stars (from her Out of Egypt series). The book is based on Kiya, an Egyptian slave, and takes place during the ten plagues and the Israelites exodus from Egypt. I don’t want to share too much about the devotion because I want you to read it for yourself and get your own insights, but there’s a part of day one’s message that I had to share with you all.
Moses was born an Israelite but brought up as an Egyptian. We all know the story of how he was raised as one of Pharaoh’s own sons, and then after learning his true identity, he killed an Egyptian and fled to escape death. However, while in Midian, Moses is called by God to go BACK to Egypt to help deliver His people.
Instead of being excited about God asking him to play a role in the Israelites freedom, Moses starts to tell God about all the reasons he is inadequate for the job; however, God didn’t expect Moses to do all the work and rescue the Israelites. Moses didn’t bring the people out of Egypt; God did. God was the deliverer and the redeemer, no one else. It is during this part of Moses’ story that the devotional begins.
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’” Exodus 6:6-8
How many times has God called you to do something, and you’ve answered Him with all the reasons why you can’t do it? How many times have you felt unable to complete the task God has given you?
Notice that all those questions were centered on one thing: Yourself. YOU can’t do it. YOU aren’t able to complete the task. YOU are not the right person. YOU. YOU. YOU.
I believe this is why so many people, including myself, fail to do what the Lord has put on their hearts. We are so focused on what we as human beings can do that we forget that God can do it all by Himself, yet He chooses us to be a tool in His work. God calls us to do certain things with our lives, but it’s not for OUR benefit; it’s for HIS! Everything we do is about HIM, not us.
As I started the devotional this morning, I was struck by the number of times I have used myself as the reason why I can’t do something. Last week, I started writing a book. It wasn’t a storyline I’d ever thought or strategized about before, but as I was sitting in my room staring at a blank page, a rush of words came over me. Without understanding what I was writing or where the story would go, I was shocked to find that I had written over 2,000 words in less than an hour! It’s been amazing to see where this book is taking me and the lessons God has taught me through the main character’s storyline.
We have to be ready for God’s calling, but we also need to remember that He wouldn’t call on us if He didn’t think we were the right person for the job. So, be encouraged today. This message is for someone out there. It’s been a motivation for me, and I hope it is for you as well.
Join me as I continue this daily devotional and learn more about Exodus in a new light! I’m excited to read tomorrow’s devotion and learn more wisdom and insights! Click on the link below to take this journey with me!
https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/2368-out-from-egypt-from-slavery-to-freedom
