Day 31

Exodus 12:14–13:16; Matthew 20:29–21:22; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 6:12-15

THE COUNSEL OF the Proverbs today perfectly describes Pharaoh’s behavior in Exodus: “Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble. But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing” (Proverbs 6:14-15).

After the plague of darkness, it would only take one final act to break the chains that had enslaved the children of Israel —but the last plague would be devastating. Moses instructed God’s people to observe the first Passover, in which they painted blood on their doorposts so that a death angel would “pass over” their homes while invading Egypt. But wailing and bitter grief swept across Egypt as the firstborn son in every other household died, including the firstborn of Pharaoh.

“Get out!” Pharaoh ordered Moses. “Leave my people —and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you said, and be gone. Go, but bless me as you leave” (Exodus 12:31-32).

Immediately, the children of Israel began moving out of Egypt to the east, into the desert. On their way, they received anything they asked for, thereby pillaging the Egyptians’ wealth as they left the country. Over a million people began a long journey, and as we concluded our first month of this amazing journey through the Bible this year, we saw the people of God reach another major mile marker: freedom. The promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was taking shape in new and fascinating ways. The people were now as vast as the stars in the heavens, but their entire identity would need to shift before they reached the Promised Land.

In Matthew today, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it” (Matthew 21:21-22).

The faith required in the Exodus of the children of Israel was the same faith required in the life of Jesus —and the same faith required in our own lives. We have an unfathomably powerful and sovereign heavenly Father. When we put our complete faith and trust in Him, anything is possible.

PRAYER:

Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. . . . Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge. May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.