Scripture Union Daily Guide 22nd January 2023: God Encourages

Scripture Union Daily Guide 22nd January 2023: God Encourages

SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY GUIDE 22 JANUARY 2023 SUNDAY DEVOTIONAL

Read and Meditate on Today’s Daily Guide Devotional for 22nd January 2023. May the Lord bless you as you study!

TODAY’S TOPIC: GOD ENCOURAGES

Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, make me more like you through the power of your word as I meditate on it.

SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 6:28-7:13

Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 8: Is there any other Biblical passage that can help me understand this passage better?

OUTLINE FOR TODAY: Look at the wonderful position in which God puts Moses and Aaron, and pity poor miserable little Pharaoh (7:1-2)! As Christians we are often blind to the fantastic position and authority we have in Christ (Romans 8:31; 2 Corinthians 10:4). Is this not why we are subjected to doubts and fears in the face of “powerful” enemies and difficult situations? As someone has put it, “Fear knocked, faith answered, and there was no one at the door!” Without a doubt, Satan is powerful, but how very small is his power when compared with the Almighty God (vs.11-12)!

Chapter 7:13 is not easy to understand or explain. Earlier, God had said that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart (4:21), and now it has happened. This is the same God who does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Why then does He harden Pharaoh’s heart (9:16)?
We can understand this in the light of two facts made clear in Scripture. First is that God gives us the capacity and the freedom to decide to obey or disobey Him (Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15). Second, God knows in advance the final decision and choice of each person and He judges accordingly (Luke 16:15). This shows that if God hardens Pharaoh’s heart, it is based on Pharaoh’s own decision to reject and oppose God.

For Further Study
How does the story of Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6:15-18 help you to understand this chapter better?

• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?

Closing Prayer
Thank God for His promise in Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Offer a prayer of faith in line with Jeremiah 31:4

One Year Bible Reading Plan
Genesis 38, 39, Psalms 17

Read More 2023 Daily Devotional Messages