Our Daily Bread Devotional For June 23, 2023, Friday ODB Message
Read Our Daily Bread Devotional For June 23, 2023, ODB Devotional Message for Friday By Lisa M. Samra
TOPIC: God’s Mighty Power
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Esther 9–10; Acts 7:1–21
KEY VERSE: And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. Exodus 14:31
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Exodus 14:21–23, 26–31
INSIGHT FOR OUR DAILY BREAD 23RD JUNE 2023 BY TIM GUSTAFSON
Some critics attempt to read a contradiction into Exodus 14:21, claiming that it first says Moses parted the sea, and then the text says God did it. However, there’s no contradiction. It was God who commanded Moses, “Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water” (v. 16). God did something similar in Exodus 4, when Moses’ staff became a snake (vv. 2–4). God often used the staff or hand of Moses or Aaron to initiate the plagues (see chs. 7–10). But it was always God who accomplished these supernatural acts.
OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL 23RD JUNE 2023 MESSAGE:
The seemingly impossible happened when hurricane-force winds changed the flow of the mighty Mississippi River. In August 2021, Hurricane Ida came ashore on the coast of Louisiana, and the astonishing result was a “negative flow,” meaning water actually flowed upriver for several hours.
Experts estimate that over its life cycle a hurricane can expend energy equivalent to ten thousand nuclear bombs! Such incredible power to change the course of flowing water helps me understand the Israelites’ response to a far more significant “negative flow” recorded in Exodus.
While fleeing the Egyptians who’d enslaved them for centuries, the Israelites came to the edge of the Red Sea. In front of them was a wide body of water and behind them was the heavily armored Egyptian army. In that seemingly impossible situation, “the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land . . . and the Israelites went through the sea” (Exodus 14:21–22). Rescued in that incredible display of power, “the people feared the Lord” (v. 31).
Responding with awe is natural after experiencing the immensity of God’s power. But it didn’t end there; the Israelites also “put their trust” in Him (v. 31).
As we experience God’s power in creation, we too can stand in awe of His might and place our trust in Him.
REFLECT: When have you experienced a display of God’s power in creation? How did that lead to a greater trust in Him?
PRAY: Creator God, please help me to trust You more when I see awesome displays of Your power.
Our Daily Bread Devotional For June 23, 2023 || ODB 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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