February 22, 2023
Exodus 5:1-5
Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’"  2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”  3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”  4 But the king of Egypt said, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!” 5 Then Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working.”
New International Version (NIV)
"That won't get any better," said one man to another who complained of an ailment. Like Job's friends, there remain miserable comforters among us.
Moses' intentions and expectations of deliverance for Israel collided with the stubborn will of Pharaoh.  The king of Egypt answered Israel's petition to go into the wilderness with a strange strategy:  "The beatings will continue until the morale improves."
Have you also noticed God works in his own timetable?  So often, i am in a hurry but God is not.  God fulfills his purpose right on time:  God's standard time.  Be encouraged:  our God never fails to keep his promises.  He is always worth the wait.  
Pray with me:
Gracious Father, we thank you for working your plan in our lives.  Give patience today. Let our waiting strengthen our resolve.  We will trust you to keep your promises to us. Your schedule works for us.  In Jesus' name.  Amen. 
Our 2023 Every Day with Jesus readings are taken from Robert Murray M'Cheyne's Bible Reading Calendar. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:
Please join us in reading through the scriptures again this year.  We will read the New Testament twice and the Old Testament once this year. M'Cheyne once said, “A man is who he is on his knees, and nothing more.”  Would you pray with me that God will make his word live to us this year?  Let’s not just get through the Bible.  Let it get through to us!

Joyfully, 
Duane 

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