wilderness

Delegating is a Sign of Strength, Not Weakness: Devotional for February 7, 2022

/ Matthew R. Perry / Leave a comment
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Today’s Bible reading from the Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 16-18, Galatians 5

Too many leaders, especially leaders in the church, put so much pressure on themselves to get it all done that (1) they wear themselves out, and (2) risk failing to give others an opportunity to help and use their giftings to the glory of God.

Moses and the people of Israel were not long into their escape from the shackles of Egypt when they began to complain. They were hungry! So, Moses cried out to God and He provided manna and quail! They were thirsty, so Moses cried out to God and He provided water from the rock. The Amalekites came to fight and God delivered them and He was celebrated as Jehovah Nissi: “The LORD is My Banner.”

Yet, as God led Moses in these miraculous deliverances, Moses dealt with a day-to-day matter that threatened to undercut everything: He alone handled all the inquiries. His father-in-law rightly noted, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves our, for the thin is too heavy for you. You are not able to do this alone” (Exodus 18:17-18). Taking Jethro’s advice, Moses took able men to judge the less-hefty cases, leaving the hard cases for Moses.

Leaders must delegate. God brings along people with great character and able gifting to get the mission done. In reflecting on Hebrews 13:20-21, God gives us everything we need to do everything He commands. And that includes people. Delegating is not a sign of weakness but of strength. It shows that you do not believe everything relies on you but that you trust that everything relies of Christ.

He is our banner–remember?

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Biblical History is Not Just for Information: Devotional for February 2, 2022

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Today’s Bible reading from the Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 7-9; Psalm 105; Ephesians 1

Yes, history is our friend! For some, looking back on ancient dates, places, and people is as interesting as watching the grass grow. What possible benefit could looking back benefit us in the here and now and help us for the future? Much!

Psalm 105 takes the reader through many of the wonderful works of God in history as a reminder of his goodness, ability, and faithfulness–specifically in forming them as a people and delivering them from the tyranny of Egypt. While the Israelites dealt with these trials and struggles, they could not see the hand of God working, readying to deliver. This passage reminds the readers that God was working and that He did deliver.

Reading this along with the Exodus story of Moses’ arrival in Egypt (Exodus 5) through the plagues until the rescue and accompanying song (Exodus 12-15), God worked out the plan He had all along. Why?

Psalm 105:43-45 notes:

So he brought his people out with joy,
His chosen ones with singing.
And He gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil
that they might keep his status and observe his laws.
Praise the LORD!

Biblical history is not merely for our information–it is for our transformation, for our hearts must lean toward a desire and a disciple to keep God’s Word.

So take time to read the Word to see how God works. As you see how God works, you’ll long more to keep His Word!

Good Morning Devo for 9.6.2021: “A Sustenance That Truly Sustains”

/ Matthew R. Perry / Leave a comment
September 06 (JPG)

Good morning! The Gospel of John presents seven “I AM” statements describing Jesus’ nature and work. Here, Jesus connects the bread that came down from heaven to sustain God’s people as they sojourned in the wilderness (manna), but that only sustained them for the day. The manna was a shadow of the reality to come.

In the previous paragraph, Jesus had this encounter with the Jewish leaders:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

John 6:25-29

When the leaders noted that Moses provided a sign in the wilderness (manna), they asked for a sign from Jesus, who then told them about a bread that comes down from heaven that will give life to the world. A promising prospect to the Jewish leaders!

The Son of Man would give them this bread–He Himself was that bread. Christ gave of Himself to provide the spiritual sustenance needed both here and in the hereafter. Christ is our everlasting manna!

No material item can bring any sort of sustaining satisfaction. Jesus is enough to bring that sustaining sustenance! Look to the cross and the empty tomb for that promise!