Doubt is okay, just don’t give up (Exodus 6:1-13), Jan 23, 2015

Today’s Podcast


Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Exodus 6.
Sometimes doing what I ask of you will seem like beating your head against the wall. You will tell Me you’ve done that before with no results. Jesus’ disciples felt that way sometimes. They were expert fishermen. They had fished all night and caught nothing and Jesus told them to do what seemed foolish. “Cast your nets on the other side of the boat.” They thought, “What do we have to lose? One more cast won’t make a difference, so we might as well try.” They filled their nets with a haul that almost sank their little trawler.

Noah probably felt the same way sometimes as he cut lumber for an ark. The world had never seen a drop of rain in his day. His neighbors ridiculed him, mocked him, and laughed at him, for the 100 years it took to build the ark. But he kept at the task until one day I told him to go in with his family and the animals and I shut the door. Then the rain began. Everyone else wanted in, but I shut the door and Noah couldn’t open it. Noah saved his family by doing what others thought foolish.

Moses and Aaron spoke their people about My coming deliverance. The people were excited until the labor doubled and the supplies didn’t increase to do the work. Then they only got angry at Moses and Aaron for what they thought was foolishness. Moses and Aaron weren’t so sure it was a good idea to talk to Pharaoh either. But that’s okay. They didn’t quit.

That’s the secret in following Me. It’s okay to doubt Me sometimes. The disciples did. Noah did. Moses and Aaron did. The important thing, though, they continued to follow My directions even though they didn’t make sense to them. They believed in Me enough to keep going. They knew for My past interventions with them that I would follow through on My promises with them and they continued to do what I asked of them.

Doubts can creep in at times, but I’m big enough to take those. Just keep pushing onward and upward. Keep doing what I ask of you, complete with doubts. I will reward you richly in the end. Your doubts will melt away and you’ll see that I always make good on the promises I give you. Now, go do what I asked you to do today. You know what it is.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Exodus 6:1-13
Set – Exodus 6; Luke 23
Go! – Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

Exodus 6:1-13
1 The Eternal One spoke to Moses.

Eternal One: Now you will see what I have in store for Pharaoh. When Pharaoh sees the power of My hand, he will not only send My people from this land, he will drive them out.

2 (pointedly to Moses) I am the Eternal. 3 I revealed Myself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God-All-Powerful; but I did not reveal My name, the Eternal One, to them. 4 I also made My covenant with them. I promised I would give them Canaan—the land where their ancestors lived as strangers. 5 In addition, I have heard the constant cries of the Israelites who have been enslaved by the Egyptians. I have remembered My covenant; 6 go now and tell the people of Israel, “I am the Eternal, and I will rescue you from the heavy load the Egyptians have laid on you. I will liberate you from their oppression. I will stretch out my powerful arm and free you with amazing acts of judgment. 7 Then I will gather you to Me as My people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Eternal who rescued you from the heavy load the Egyptians have put on you. 8 I will lead you into Canaan—the very land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession for I am the Eternal.”

9 So Moses went and told these things to the Israelites, but they turned a deaf ear to him because they were in such low spirits and exhausted from their harsh labor.

10 The Eternal One once again instructed Moses.

Eternal One: 11 Go speak with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and tell him to release the Israelites from his land.

Moses: 12 The Israelites haven’t paid attention to anything I’ve said. How do You expect Pharaoh to listen to me if my own people won’t? I am not fit to speak for You.

13 The Eternal then addressed Moses and Aaron and gave them instructions about dealing with the Israelites and Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The instructions had to do with bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.