Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Redeeming Christ
Exodus 3:1-10
Vs 7,8 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.”
The Israelites had come to Egypt during the time of the great famine when Joseph was advisor to the pharaoh. They had enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity, but after Joseph’s death a new Pharaoh took rulership and became afraid of the Israelites and threw them into slavery. It was during this time that the Israelites called out to God and cried to Him to bring them salvation. God heard their prayers and kept his covenant with Abraham and brought his people out of hardship. The dictionary definition of redemption is the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. God Saved His people from the evil that they were facing and brought them to the promised land, the land he promised Abraham.
Like the Israelites we all have our own pharaohs that come into our lives and cause us to suffer, but why? We serve an all-powerful and almighty God who can deliver us from the trials and save us from our suffering, so then why put us through it in the first place? Why does God put us through these trials? I have looked all over for answer to this question and what many people and bible scholars have said, it is because it is the best option for our spiritual growth and God knows it. And that is when it all came together for me. All our lives we have been so fortunate to live in this country, have been blessed with money, food, and shelter. Sometimes we forget how it all started. We grow in bliss and ignorance and leave God behind. Through the trials we praise him and ask for help and through the prosperity he is the farthest thing from our minds. It is through these trials we grown in faith and understanding. Some may seem too hard to bear but it is during these times that we find comfort in God’s presence, grow in his grace and ask for continual help and guidance. We all have our own thorns in our sides, crosses to bear, and trials we traverse through. It is through them that we grow stronger in faith and our reliance on God. It is through these trials that we become redeemed. God sent his one and only son to sacrifice Himself for us his children. We have become redeemed through Him, our redeeming savior. Redemption is not a gift to bottle up inside but is a light to shine forth and let everyone bask in its warmth. We are one people redeemed through the blood of Christ and He will see us through our darkest days.
Like the Israelites we all have our own pharaohs that come into our lives and cause us to suffer, but why? We serve an all-powerful and almighty God who can deliver us from the trials and save us from our suffering, so then why put us through it in the first place? Why does God put us through these trials? I have looked all over for answer to this question and what many people and bible scholars have said, it is because it is the best option for our spiritual growth and God knows it. And that is when it all came together for me. All our lives we have been so fortunate to live in this country, have been blessed with money, food, and shelter. Sometimes we forget how it all started. We grow in bliss and ignorance and leave God behind. Through the trials we praise him and ask for help and through the prosperity he is the farthest thing from our minds. It is through these trials we grown in faith and understanding. Some may seem too hard to bear but it is during these times that we find comfort in God’s presence, grow in his grace and ask for continual help and guidance. We all have our own thorns in our sides, crosses to bear, and trials we traverse through. It is through them that we grow stronger in faith and our reliance on God. It is through these trials that we become redeemed. God sent his one and only son to sacrifice Himself for us his children. We have become redeemed through Him, our redeeming savior. Redemption is not a gift to bottle up inside but is a light to shine forth and let everyone bask in its warmth. We are one people redeemed through the blood of Christ and He will see us through our darkest days.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us that though we may suffer through all kinds of trials you are always there to hold our hand and carry us through. Help us to use our lives as living examples of you love, and use the talents you have given to use to help our fellow brothers and sisters. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
This too shall pass, and we shall see what God has restored
Bentley Joseph, St. Johns MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Bentley Joseph, St. Johns MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church