Friday, March 7th: Guest Writer, Mrs. Lois Ormsby

Glorifying God with Forgiveness

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” ~ Matthew 18:21, 22

We’ve already covered a lot of ways through which we can glorify God.  Did you ever think of how we can glorify God by forgiving those who have done us wrong?  Over the past few years, the LORD has been teaching me that forgiveness is one of the most extreme, most important ways we need to be like Christ…yet sadly, it is one of the ways that so many Christians are NOT like Christ.How easy it is to hold grudges; to wish bad things to happen to those who have hurt us; to want to run away from painful circumstances; to say that “I will never talk to that person again!”; to feel justified in being rude to someone who has hurt us because “what they did to me is SO much worse than anything I have ever done”…the list goes on and on.  I think we get the idea.

…but think about it, girls: do any of the things in the previous paragraph mimic what Jesus did?  We know He bore the entire world’s sins – the thought of that is something we truly cannot comprehend.  Yet, the way that becomes personal to us is when we think about the fact that Jesus bore pain and suffering because of our sins.  My sins.  Ouch.

“Forgive and forget” – it’s something we hear a lot.  Yet, forgiving and forgetting is something God has not given us the ability to do.  The Bible tells us that God is able to truly forgive and forget – but we are not able to.  Sometimes I ask Him, why can’t we forgive and forget like You do, Father?  It sure would make things easier!

What He has shown me is that, perhaps the main reason we aren’t able to do this is because He knows there are vital lessons we will learn through the struggle of learning to forgive others.  He would not have asked us to forgive others if doing so was not possible; so, somehow (probably in a different way for each of us), there is a way to forgive those who hurt us.  God has given us plenty of truths about forgiveness in His Word – so it is up to us to discover the personal steps of forgiveness He has for us by studying the Bible.

Forgiving like Christ is not easy – in fact, it is quite painful.  But think back to what Christ endured for us!  If Christ did that for us, can’t we learn to do that for others?

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 7

Revelation 14

Thursday, March 6th

By the power of God, Moses has changed the water into blood, brought frogs up from the Nile River, seen dust turned into lice, called forth swarms of flies, witnessed a very grievous disease among the cattle, sheep, oxen, and donkeys of the Egyptians,  beheld huge boils on both men and beast in Egypt,  called for hail and fire from heaven,  stood amazed at the devastation from the bands of locusts, and finally, announced that darkness would envelope Egypt.  The plagues did not change Pharaoh's mind, and at a certain point, his mind was beyond changing.  Because he would not repent, God used his hardened heart for the revealing of His power.

After nine catastrophic disasters, Pharaoh was so mad he commanded Moses and Aaron to leave his presence and to never return.  The final plague ensured that they never would.  

 And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.  Exodus 11:4-5

The last plague would not involve any loss of property.  It wouldn't cost Egypt a single penny in replacement.  But, the toll in human, gut-wrenching, raw emotion would be measureless.  From the firstborn son of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the lowliest slave, there would be no difference.  Can you just for one moment imagine that you are in Egypt on this night.  Do you hear the piercing screams from  mothers finding the lifeless bodies of their precious boys?  The agony of their fathers driven to their knees in desperation?  Tragic.  Senseless.  You see, even in this awful judgment, there was a way of redemption.  The blood of a lamb had to be put above the doors of those who believed what Moses had said would happen.  

 The Lord promised the children of Israel deliverance, and Pharaoh learned that though he was the most powerful man in the country, he was powerless in the hands of the Almighty.  

We know how this Bible story ends.  The children of Israel were literally driven f rom Egypt with money, jewels, and other valuables from Egypt.  Freedom is what God's people were promised, and freedom is what they were given.  It didn't come quickly or easily.  But, it did come.  In the same way, God promises us deliverance and freedom.  Sometimes that promise may take time to come to fruition, but just as sure as His promise was to the children of Israel, His promises to us are just as solid.  When you are tempted to worry and wonder why The Lord is not moving to free you from the  troubles that plague you, consider that He may be dealing with your "pharaoh"  to show Himself worthy and powerful.

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 6

Revelation 13

Wednesday, March 5th

After the last plague of devouring locusts, not one green plant remained.  The country is in ruins.  Instead of a humbled King, Egypt has an angry, deceptive King.  After he promised Moses that he'd let the people go, as soon as the locusts were removed, so was his promise.  

Moses and Aaron had to be weary of the ritual of going before Pharaoh to request freedom, being refused, bringing forth the plague, Pharaoh giving false hopes of deliverance, and the whole thing starting over again!  So, after this last plague, the locusts, when Pharaoh promised they could leave if they'd just get rid of the locusts, I'm sure neither Moses nor Aaron had any real hopes that this would be the last plague.  Surely their patience had long since been worn thin!  Perhaps they were glad that with this next plague, there was no warning.  God said to Moses to stretch forth his arms and he did so, a complete darkness fell upon the land.  I'm not talking about slightly dark, girls.  This was a darkness so dark that it could be felt.  For three days, they could not leave their homes because it was that dark.  Over in Goshen, the sun shone brightly.  Can you imagine that it was so dark at Lock Haven that no one could even walk around, and yet, up at the Circle K, they had beautiful light.  Wouldn't that be strange?  That's what happened.  The Egyptians were fully aware that this was the hand of God.  Pharaoh, though he knew it was God's power, refused yet again, and not only did he refuse, but cried, "Get out of my face and don't ever let me catch you before my presence again!"

He didn't realize it at the moment that he had spoken his own "prophecy", so to speak.  Moses knew full well that there would be no more opportunities.   What would come next would not only allow the Hebrews to leave, but would drive Pharaoh to demand their departure.

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 5

Revelation 12

Tuesday, March 4th

What does the country of Egypt look like after the plagues of water being turned to blood, invading frogs, annoying lice, biting flies,  terrible sickness with the cattle, sheep, oxen, and donkeys, horrible boils attacking the skin of both humans and animals, and yesterday's plague, hail mingled with fire?  Exactly what would a country so ravished by disaster resemble?  In my mind, it would look like a war zone.  What would the faces of the people reveal?  Some of those faces might reveal a brokenness, a genuine repentance; but, the one face that could have sought God's forgiveness for his land and his people remained dogmatically against listening to the voice of God.  Pharaoh would not be persuaded even in the face of total loss.   The Bible says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart, and we talked about this a little previously.  Be careful that you don't play with God, girls.  If you do, do not be surprised that when you are tired of playing, you cannot seem to find the grace to repent even though you desire to do so.  

Again Moses and Aaron come before Pharaoh and ask for the release of the Hebrews.  In no uncertain terms, Moses gives an ultimatum: let the people go or face plague #8---locusts.  If Pharaoh refused, the locusts would come in and eat everything in their path.  Remember, the flax and barley plants were destroyed with the hail.  But, there was still the wheat and rye that could be salvaged.  The Scriptures give this account of the interaction between Moses and Pharaoh:

And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.  

Exodus 10: 5-6

The warning is there!  Even the servants gave the King a warning in telling him that the country was destroyed and that there was no reason to continue to fight God.  But, Pharaoh remained resolute.  

Has there ever been someone in your life that you shook you head at wondering what it would take for The Lord to get their attention?  As I think of Pharaoh, that's surely what those servants must have been thinking.  With the threat of the locusts, Pharaoh ALMOST gave in, but at the last decided against giving in.  Reminds me of those who are "almost persuaded" to do right.  Almost is not enough, girls.  It wasn't enough for Pharaoh, and it isn't enough for you and me either.  

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 4

Revelation 11

Monday, March 3rd

After the plagues of blood, frogs, lice, flies, murrains, and boils, we've come to the 7th plague.  Moses met Pharaoh in the morning and again demanded the Hebrews be allowed to leave.  Again, he was denied.  So, under the leadership of God, Moses told him that the next plague would be a hailstorm like they'd never seen or heard of before.  God gave them warning this time, so many of the Egyptian people were spared because they brought their animals in before the hail began.  The ones who still thumbed their noses at God left what animals remained in the fields.  The hail was so terrible that it was mingled with fire.  I can imagine it must have been a storm like none we've ever seen.  Not a tree, not a blade of grass was untouched.  But, in the land of Goshen, the sun shone brightly.

Just as the Hebrews home was a testimony, our lives should be the same.  The Egyptians knew God's faithfulness by looking at God's protection and provision in the Hebrews' suburbs.  Think of it as a picture of what our lives ought to look like to the lost world.  Egypt is a picture of the world, while Goshen is a picture of the saved.  Goshen had the touch of God upon it, while Egypt perished with catastrophe after catastrophe.  We ought to shine as brightly as Goshen did.  

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 3

Revelation 10

Sunday, March 2nd

After spending over 400 years in bondage to the Egyptians, the Lord sent Moses and Aaron to deliver His people from enslavement.  Pharaoh was not impressed with Moses' request to allow the people of Israel to leave, and at every turn, he hardened his heart against God's obvious direction and plan.  

To recap the first five plagues The Lord sent:

1.) The water from the Nile River and the surrounding bodies of water was turned into blood.
2.)  Frogs were brought up from the river into the homes, beds, water pitchers, and bread troughs of the people.
3.) The dust was turned into biting lice.  This was the first plague the magicians could not duplicate.
4.) Huge swarms of flies were sent to torment the people.  With this plague, The Lord drew a line of distinction between the land of Goshen where the Hebrews lived and the rest of Egypt.  
5.)  A grievous murrain killed many of the Egyptians' cattle, horses, sheep, donkeys, and camels.

One would think that these 5 plagues would have been enough to humble Pharaoh.  It wasn't though.

With this plague, like #3, Pharaoh had no forewarning.  Moses reached into the furnace while Pharaoh looked on and grabbed a handful of ashes.  When he took the ashes and threw them heavenward, I imagine that Pharaoh and all those looking on wondered what was going to happen.  They didn't have to wonder long though because as soon as they ashes landed on man and beast, a "boil" was formed on the skin.  Something like a bruise, the boil created painful cramps under the skin.  If the boil was on the leg area, it was almost impossible to walk.  In fact, the magicians could not even stand in the presence of Moses and Aaron because the pain was so bad.  Did this painful plague change Pharaoh's mind?  Not in the least.  With this plague though, the Scriptures say that God "....hardened the heart of Pharaoh."  After refusing to recognize God's power for so long, I believe that Pharaoh crossed a line.  

We would all do well to remember that God's grace and mercy only extends so far.  

Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverb 3
Revelation 9

Saturday, March 1st

After seeing water turned to blood, frogs brought up from the river, dust turned into lice, and swarms of flies tormenting his people, Pharaoh still refused to bow his will to the will of God.  Once again, Moses and Aaron met with Pharaoh.  Moses warned that if Pharaoh refused again, the next plague would begin. Exodus 9 tells us that the next plague was a "murrain".  One dictionary defines the word as a plague affecting domesticated animals.  Scripture lists the animals that were affected as cattle, sheep, camels, horses, oxen, and donkeys.  Again, the Lord drew a line of distinction because not one single animal of the Hebrews was affected.  But, the animals of the Egyptians died.  The Egyptians worshiped cattle, so once again, their 'god' was targeted.  But, besides their cattle, all other manner of animals were affected, too.  Animals used for both transportation and for food died.   And, there was nothing the Egyptians could do to stop the plague.  But, their leader could have, and he refused.  He had to know that Moses and Aaron were right, but because of his desire to be right at all costs, he sacrificed his country.  

Pride is a wicked thing, girls.  And, it usually costs us far more than we ever thought possible. 

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 1
Revelation 8