Exodus Ch. 8

LORD Jesus we thank you for your mercy and love that are new everyday. We thank you for Your Word that is a discerner of thoughts and intents, Your Word that heals, Your Word that sanctifies, edifies and redeems us from every force of darkness In the Name of Jesus. We ask that You speak to us today and reveal Yourself as we read and share the Word today In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Chapter 8 contains the second, third and fourth plague that was inflicted on the land of Egypt. The second plague was frogs all over the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:4); the third plague was lice all over every man and beast in Egypt (Exodus 8:17) and the fourth plague was swarms of flies on all the Egyptians and their land (Exodus 8:21). You may wonder whether the children of Israel were afflicted by these plagues? - The answer is found in Exodus 8:22-23 where the LORD in His wisdom decided to make a distinction between the children of Israel in which He ensured that the plagues the Egyptians suffered as a result of their disobedience would not be afflicted on the Israelites. As a reminder, all the children of Israel settled in a land called Goshen where the LORD ensured that they did not suffer the same afflictions as the rest of the people in Egypt.

This chapter also highlights the foolery of the magicians who imitated the second plague that God had sent the Egyptians. In a way, Pharaoh wanted to demonstrate that his magicians were just as powerful. However, during the course of the third and fourth plague, we see the magicians' failure to imitate the great acts of God. Exodus 8:18-19 shows us, "Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not to heed them, just as the LORD had said." It's important to note that every plague that was afflicted on the Egyptians would only go away after Moses interceded on their behalf to the LORD God.

We see a somewhat 'slight change' of heart in Pharaoh after the fourth plague, as he tells Moses, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me." (Exodus 8:28).

This Word is a reminder that if you have something going on in your life that does not resemble the promise of God concerning your life, do not settle. Remember that every good and perfect gift is from God (James 1:17) and God's Word never lies (Hebrews 6:18). Isaiah 55:11 AMP reminds us of the power of God's Word, "So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

Friend, God's Word is a success story especially for all His children. It's not a story that ends in loss, failure and incompletion. It must end in victory because the risen Christ will always have the final say.

This chapter also shows us the power of intercession that is, when we humbly go before God in prayer, He listens to our prayers. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV reminds us of the LORD's promise to us, "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

As a child of God, just like Moses was able to stand in the gap for the children of Israel, you can also stand in the gap and intercede on behalf of your community, nation and family for God to forgive their sins and heal your land. Our Heavenly Father always longs to hear from us and answer our prayers. So come boldly to His presence as your bring your petitions before him.

I pray this Word 1 John 5:14-15 encourages you in the place of prayer and it that reads, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

AMEN.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to know this God who from the beginning of creation has always desired for you to be reunited and restored in relationship with Him through His One and Only Son Jesus Christ - whose faithful promises are yes and amen, whose mercy and love endures forever not just for the children of Israel but for the entire world, I invite you to make this confession;

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour today and forever."

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17). To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.