Prophetic Points to Ponder 2

“…Moses reported this to the Israelites but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage...” Exodus 6:9

The words Moses reported to the Israelites were words of hope, words of promise. They were a sorely-needed reminder that God had not forsaken them but had heard their cry. Through the stuttering lips of the Prophet Moses, God swore to his children that he would rescue them from the yoke of the Egyptians, free them from their slavery, and bring them into the land of Promise Land with a mighty hand. (Exodus 6:6-8)

But they couldn't hear a word of it.

Their hearts – having once been filled with faith, gratitude, and enthusiasm for the forgotten Land of Goshen – had become strangely similar to the bricks they were now manufacturing for Pharaoh; hardened, impenetrable by any moisture from above.

Ezekiel prophesied that God would one day remove the heart of stone and exchange it with a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19) A person with a heart of flesh dares to listen. She is willing to believe. She is sensitive, discerning, and open. Her mind is intentionally softened through the Spirit – postured in certain, living vulnerability – which enables her to flow within the mysterious ways of the Covenanted One.

"Discouragement and cruel bondage" form a toxic combination which handicaps the ability to hear the Promise of God. It silences to Voice of salvation and hope - which is the essence of who we are in Christ.

When the weight of our attention falls solely upon the choking cares of this world, we are certain to turn cynical, bitter, and unbelieving. But as we set our minds on the things above, even in the midst of our pain and disappointment, we will recognize and even be encouraged by the steadfast Word of the Lord – regardless how preposterous it may seem.

Heavenly Father, remove my pride, my bitterness, my life patterns of worry and adherence to the myth of fairness. Breathe your rain onto my rocky soil and set me free from the noise that would seek to distort and deafen your holy words to and through me. In Christ’s Name I pray, Amen.

Prophetic Points to Ponder I

“… and Moses led the flock to the back of the desert… and the Angel of the Lord appeared to him…” Exodus 3:1,2

God’s presence – which includes revelation, calling, and empowerment – happens as we faithfully embrace the present day, moment by moment, reality of the work given us to do.

We tend to want to meet God everywhere – anywhere – except for where we happen to be at any given time. We think present circumstances have little to do with the real deal. Thus, like fidgety prairie dogs, with our heads darting to and fro, scanning the horizon for any signs of Life, we quickly forget that the Voice of I AM happens right here, right where we are; right here in the back of the desert.

Moses encountered God as he was faithful and diligent in his work. One could speculate that if Moses had been irresponsible in the shepherding of the little flock, he would have missed the greater call to shepherd Israel. Being a shepherd wasn’t the most prestigious occupation in the world (it meant life or death to the sheep, though). Yet, it was there, there in the daily decision to faithfully embrace the work given him, when God spoke. There, in the all hallowed Present, God revealed, called, and empowered his servant Moses.

Father, guide my eyes, my heart, my entire being to the present thing you’ve given. Grant me diligence to thankfully be about your present-day business so that, through your holy fire, your revelation and calling would shine forth in my life. For the glory of your Name. Amen.