Prepare: Speak to me Lord that I may be strengthened to face the demands of this day.
Read: Exodus 5:22-6:13
"Frailty, thy name is woman!" exclaims Hamlet about his mother in the play by Shakespeare. Weakness of character is not only confined to womankind. It is common to all humankind. Today's passage clearly brings out this truth.
The people who were once united for the cause of liberation from the Egyptian bondage (4:31) are now disheartened. Moses is also shattered after the stern refusal of Pharaoh to act on his request. He cries to God in despair, "O Lord, why have You done evil to this people? Why did You ever send me? How shall Pharaoh listen to me for I speak with faltering lips?" Facing hardship and not getting quick relief makes them miserable.
The other area where we see human weakness is the Israelites' inability to believe in God. When God reiterates that His promises to Abraham would be surely fulfilled, they are not able to take God at His word. It is not natural and easy for humankind to accept God's word as it is. We need His grace to trust Him.
It is not human strength and united effort that brings victory. It is only God's direct intervention that brings ultimate victory. Also, it is sheer grace of God that helps us trust in Him and His word, and not our intelligence and devotion.
Respond: Lord God, create within me an awareness of how much I need You and Your grace that I may truly lean on You now and forever.
Read: Exodus 5:22-6:13
"Frailty, thy name is woman!" exclaims Hamlet about his mother in the play by Shakespeare. Weakness of character is not only confined to womankind. It is common to all humankind. Today's passage clearly brings out this truth.
The people who were once united for the cause of liberation from the Egyptian bondage (4:31) are now disheartened. Moses is also shattered after the stern refusal of Pharaoh to act on his request. He cries to God in despair, "O Lord, why have You done evil to this people? Why did You ever send me? How shall Pharaoh listen to me for I speak with faltering lips?" Facing hardship and not getting quick relief makes them miserable.
The other area where we see human weakness is the Israelites' inability to believe in God. When God reiterates that His promises to Abraham would be surely fulfilled, they are not able to take God at His word. It is not natural and easy for humankind to accept God's word as it is. We need His grace to trust Him.
It is not human strength and united effort that brings victory. It is only God's direct intervention that brings ultimate victory. Also, it is sheer grace of God that helps us trust in Him and His word, and not our intelligence and devotion.
Respond: Lord God, create within me an awareness of how much I need You and Your grace that I may truly lean on You now and forever.
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