I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked. Exodus 9:27.
“My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” …
The only true safety of nations and individuals is to be obedient to the voice of God and to ever stand on the side of truth and righteousness. Pharaoh now humbled himself and said, “I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” He entreated the servants of God to intercede with Him, that the terrific thunder and lightning might cease.
Moses knew that the contest was not ended, for he understood the workings of the human heart that is set in proud defiance against God. Pharaoh’s confessions and promises were not made because there was any change in his mind or heart; but terror and anguish compelled him, for the time being, to yield the controversy with God. Moses, however, promised to grant his request as though his confession was genuine and his repentance sincere, for he would not give him any occasion for future exhibitions of stubbornness….
On going out of the city he “spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.” But as soon as the awful exhibitions of divine power had passed, the heart of the king returned to its stubbornness and rebellion.
The Lord was manifesting His power to confirm the faith of His people Israel in Him as the only true and living God. He would give them unmistakable evidences of the difference He placed between the Egyptians and His people. He would cause all nations to know that although they had been bound down by hard labor and had been despised, yet He had chosen them as His peculiar people, and that He would work for their deliverance in a wonderful manner.
By long association with the Egyptians and continually beholding the imposing worship of idols, the Hebrews’ idea of the true and living God had become degraded…. They saw the idolatrous Egyptians enjoying an abundant prosperity, while they were continually taunted with the remark, “Your God has forsaken you.” But by His mighty works, the Lord would now teach His people in regard to His character and divine authority and show them the utter worthlessness of false gods.—Signs of the Times, March 18, 1880.
From the Heart p. 218
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for God to heal a situation that is hurting me. For God to bring healing, restoration, to all parties involved. For God to bring wisdom how to handle it. Jennifer
—-I have an unspoken prayer request for a dear friend’s brother who is very ill. Please pray for him and his doctors and the direction of the Lord in his care plan. Also, please pray for his sister and his daughters.
Thank you all so very much. Jeri
—-Please pray for our family. We were in a head-on collision and have injuries. Mary
—-Please pray for my cousin Angela who had a kidney removed due to a tumor. Brenda
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, we went on a little vacation to the Oklahoma panhandle within a few miles of the New Mexico border. We saw and photographed many of the animals we were hoping to see. That Sunday morning, we got up early and headed for home. Ronnie Jay and I decided that we would stop at Beaver Sand Dunes as Ron had always wanted to go there. Ron and Ronnie Jay decided to take the mile long nature hike.
With some misgivings, I decided to join them. Big mistake! The first half of the hike was fine. The path was wide and even though it had some “hills” they were not steep. I was enjoying it as much as they were. Ronnie Jay noticed a horned lizard on the path, so he and I took several photos of the little creature. It was such an enjoyable walk that I hardly noticed that the path was getting narrower and a little steeper.
About halfway around, we came upon a grassy area with a wooden bench. We sat down and talked for a few minutes trying to decide what to do. The path for the rest of the hike was quite narrow and overgrown with weeds and sandburs. In my usual “press on regardless” mindset, I decided that I could make it despite the fact that it was obvious that most people had turned around and gone back the way they had come.
Soon it became apparent why few people came on this half of the walk. The narrow path became steeper and steeper, and the sand became deeper and deeper. Ron and I found ourselves getting hot and tired. Up one dune and down the other over and over again left me exhausted. I was puffing like a steam engine and sweating profusely. The path was not as firm as it had been and my shoes filled with scaldingly hot sand.
I reached the point where I felt like I couldn’t go any farther but I had no alternative but to keep going. By this time, Ron was very worried about his overweight and out of shape wife. I was worried about me too! I almost passed out. About the last fourth mile, Ron pushed and Ronnie Jay pulled me up the dunes. After what seemed like an eternity, we came to the point where the two paths joined to go back to the parking lot. What a relief!
As I reflect upon that long-ago dune hike, I feel gratitude to my husband and son for all their effort to get me over those miserable piles of sand. They were both sore and tired from the exertion.
Each of us need someone to help us at one time or another. Indeed, there are struggling ones all around us who are as ready to give up as I was on the last half of the trail.
The Apostle Paul speaks of the necessity and privilege we have of helping our brethren in Christ. To do so, is to follow the example of Jesus. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Rom 15:1; Phil 2:4-8
May we bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Gal 6:2
Rose