IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Keep in Step with the Spirit

Date: Nov. 5, 2015

Passage

Exodus 14:15-31 (ESV)

15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.”

26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 14:15

The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.

First, make a move by faith (15-18). From God's point of view, the time of grumbling was over. The people needed to begin their move. If they refused they would be destroyed. Moses took his stand and obeyed God by praying and raising his staff. God would work through this act of faith to divide the water. The Israelites had to engage their faith and take the first step into the Sea.

Second, keep in step with God (19-31). God, the angels, the servants of God, Moses and the people were all working in unison. The angel placed himself between the two groups; God manifested in the pillar of fire; the people decided to proceed; Moses raised his staff as the Lord directed, supported by two elders. God also worked in the Egyptians' minds and kept the water to release it at the right moment. The Israelites were saved, God was glorified and a new chapter in history was unfolding. God's people need to keep in step with the Spirit and proceed as the Lord co-ordinates.

Prayer: Lord, so often I am in a spiritual rut. Help me to trust in you and follow your leading. Help me to keep in step with your Spirit.

One Word: Keep in step with the Lord. He will save and deliver in his way and time.

Daily Bread

The Lord Sends Jacob Back to the Land

Genesis 31:1-30

Key Verse: 31:3

Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

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Intro Daily