Our Daily Bread 5 May 2023 ODB Devotional, Friday Message
Our Daily Bread 5 May 2023 ODB Devotional Message for Friday written by Tom Felten
TOPIC: Grace and Change
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Kings 19–20; Luke 23:1–25
KEY VERSE: The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known.” Exodus 2:14
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Exodus 2:11–15
Insight For Today By Alyson Kieda
Moses, the son of Amram and Jochebed (Numbers 26:59), was born toward the end of the four-hundred-year captivity of the Israelites in Egypt. In Exodus 1, we read of the plight of Moses’ people under the cruel oppression of a “new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing” (v. 8). This Pharaoh saw how fruitful the Israelites were and out of fear increased the labor of the people and ordered the midwives to kill the baby boys they delivered (vv. 8–19). In our text, we read of Moses’ impulsive act of killing an Egyptian and his desperate flight into Midian, where he worked for forty years as a shepherd. In chapter 3, Moses received his call from God: “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (v. 10). Moses balked. Yet despite his flaws and reluctance, God used him to lead the Israelites to the doorstep of the promised land.
OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL 5TH MAY 2023 MESSAGE:
The crime was shocking, and the man who committed it was sentenced to life in prison. In the years that followed, the man—in solitary confinement—began a process of mental and spiritual healing. It led to repentance and a restored relationship with Jesus. These days he’s been allowed limited interactions with other inmates. And, by God’s grace, through his witness some fellow prisoners have received Christ as Savior—finding forgiveness in Him.
Moses, though now recognized as a great man of faith, also committed a shocking crime. After he witnessed “an Egyptian beating a Hebrew,” he looked “this way and that” and “killed the Egyptian” (Exodus 2:11–12). Despite this sin, God in His grace wasn’t done with His imperfect servant. Later, He chose Moses to free His people from their oppression (3:10). In Romans 5:14, we read, “Death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command.” But in the following verses Paul states that “God’s grace” makes it possible for us, regardless of our past sins, to be changed and made right with Him (vv. 15–16).
We might think that what we’ve done disqualifies us from knowing God’s forgiveness and being used for His honor. But because of His grace, in Jesus we can be changed and set free to help others be changed for eternity.
Reflection & Prayer for Today’s ODB Reading
How has God and His grace changed you? What are the changes He’s calling you to make these days?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your life-changing grace.
Our Daily Bread 5 May 2023 ODB Devotional for Friday Message . Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.
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