Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Freedom: God's Precious Gift
Bible portion: Exod. 3:7-12
Devotion
Devotion
The scorching Egyptian sun beat down mercilessly on the backs of the Israelites. The crack of whips, the clinking of chains, and the groans of the oppressed filled the air. Can you feel the weight of their bondage? Can you hear their cries?
In the scorching heat of Egypt, the Israelites' cries echoed under oppression. God, seeing their suffering, chose an unlikely hero - Moses, a shepherd with a troubled past. At the burning bush, God declared, "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" (Exodus 3:7).
This moment reveals God's heart for freedom. He doesn't just observe our struggles; He intimately knows our pain and acts. God's call to Moses demonstrates that our past doesn't disqualify us from His purpose. When Moses doubted, asking, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" God's response was simple yet powerful: "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:11-12).
Like Moses, we're invited to participate in God's liberating work. It may require stepping out in faith, facing our fears, or leaving our comfort zones. Yet we go forward with the same promise God gave Moses: His presence. In this presence, we find not just freedom, but purpose, peace, and the courage to help others break free too.
Reflection:
As we ponder this story, let's ask ourselves:
1. Where in our lives do we feel trapped, longing for freedom?
2. How might God be calling us to participate in His liberating work?
3. What "burning bushes" might we be overlooking in our daily lives?
Remember, true freedom is found in Christ. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). Just as God saw the Israelites' suffering and acted, He sees our struggles today. He offers us freedom - freedom from sin, from fear, from all that holds us captive.
But like Moses, we're invited to participate in this liberating work. It may require stepping out in faith, facing our fears, or leaving our comfort zones. Yet we go forward with the same promise God gave Moses: "I will be with you.” As we celebrate the freedom God offers, let's commit to living it out daily, trusting in His presence and power.
For in His presence, we find not just freedom, but purpose, peace, and the courage to help others break free too.
In the scorching heat of Egypt, the Israelites' cries echoed under oppression. God, seeing their suffering, chose an unlikely hero - Moses, a shepherd with a troubled past. At the burning bush, God declared, "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" (Exodus 3:7).
This moment reveals God's heart for freedom. He doesn't just observe our struggles; He intimately knows our pain and acts. God's call to Moses demonstrates that our past doesn't disqualify us from His purpose. When Moses doubted, asking, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" God's response was simple yet powerful: "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:11-12).
Like Moses, we're invited to participate in God's liberating work. It may require stepping out in faith, facing our fears, or leaving our comfort zones. Yet we go forward with the same promise God gave Moses: His presence. In this presence, we find not just freedom, but purpose, peace, and the courage to help others break free too.
Reflection:
As we ponder this story, let's ask ourselves:
1. Where in our lives do we feel trapped, longing for freedom?
2. How might God be calling us to participate in His liberating work?
3. What "burning bushes" might we be overlooking in our daily lives?
Remember, true freedom is found in Christ. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). Just as God saw the Israelites' suffering and acted, He sees our struggles today. He offers us freedom - freedom from sin, from fear, from all that holds us captive.
But like Moses, we're invited to participate in this liberating work. It may require stepping out in faith, facing our fears, or leaving our comfort zones. Yet we go forward with the same promise God gave Moses: "I will be with you.” As we celebrate the freedom God offers, let's commit to living it out daily, trusting in His presence and power.
For in His presence, we find not just freedom, but purpose, peace, and the courage to help others break free too.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for the gift of freedom. Open our eyes to see where You're working in our lives. Give us the courage to step out in faith, knowing You are with us. Help us to fully embrace this gift and to be instruments of Your liberating love in the world. Amen.
Lord, thank You for the gift of freedom. Open our eyes to see where You're working in our lives. Give us the courage to step out in faith, knowing You are with us. Help us to fully embrace this gift and to be instruments of Your liberating love in the world. Amen.
Thought for the Day
A quote from Pope Francis:
“Just because God created us in his image, we have also received from him the great gift that is freedom. If it is not used well, freedom can lead us away from God, can make us lose the dignity with which He has clothed us.
This requires the guidelines, the guidelines and also the rules, both in society and in the Church, to help us to do the will of God, thus living according to our dignity as human beings and children of God. When it is not* shaped by the Gospel, freedom can turn into slavery: slavery of sin.”
This requires the guidelines, the guidelines and also the rules, both in society and in the Church, to help us to do the will of God, thus living according to our dignity as human beings and children of God. When it is not* shaped by the Gospel, freedom can turn into slavery: slavery of sin.”
Jacob Joby Varghese, St.Thomas MarThoma Church , Vancouver