Living Free - July 19, 2017
Today's Scripture
"If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor." - Exodus 33:13 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Moses is an example of someone with a lot of determination. In Exodus, Moses saw an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew slave. Determined to end the cruelty, Moses killed the Egyptian and tried to hide the incident by burying him. Determined? Yes. Angry and determined to fix things his own way.
Rymer shares this story: "When my son was twelve years old and I was yelling at him for something he said that I didn't like, he said, 'I believe you have an anger problem." Indeed I did."
So it was with Moses. When he took matters into his own hands, apart from God, he was controlled by anger. The result? He lost credibility with his own people and became ineffective to help them. Pharaoh issued an order for Moses to be arrested and killed, and he had to flee the country.
Have you ever handled something out of misguided anger that caused more of a problem than a solution?
Consider this …
Years after Moses fled for his life, he had an encounter with God. God chose him to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian oppression. With God's hand on him, Moses would later show a godly determination.
How was Moses' determination this time different from the incident when he killed the Egyptian?
This was God's planning. This was God's time. Moses looked to God's wisdom and strength, not his own. Today's scripture reflects Moses' new attitude. This was a very different Moses than the younger, less mature Moses who had taken situations into his own hands. Now Moses, still full of determination to see the best for the Israelites, did not want to do anything without God.
Think about the things you are determined to do. What can you learn from Moses?
Father, I know sometimes I am determined to fix things, but try to do so my own way, in my own strength. Please forgive me. Help me turn to you for your plan and depend on you for your strength. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …Where is the Image of God in You? by Brad Rymer. The purpose of this study is for us to see how some of the different character traits we have can be used in constructive rather than destructive ways in our lives and relationships so that we are operating more and more in the image of God according to the way He created us. Also, this study can help us better understand others as we build godly relationships. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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