Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Exodus 5:23, “For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.”

Background

Carolina and State. Duke and UNC. Washington and Dallas. Magic and Bird. What rivalry is the best? Yankees and Red Sox, Woods and Mickelson, Notre Dame and USC, Manning and Brady, Coke and Pepsi. Almost everyone would choose one rather than the other, or at least would pull against one over the other. Michigan and Ohio State, Celtics and Lakers, Nicklaus and Palmer, Bojangles’ and KFC, Batman and the Joker, Leno and Letterman. There have been, and still are, classic battles between polar opposites, as well as match-ups between giants of a similar nature, that land us in one camp or the other. And if these rivalries are worthy of debate, then both sides must have an appeal and a track record. It takes wins and losses to develop a rivalry full of passion and interest. But all wins and losses are not equal, are they? Coke didn’t mind suffering against Pepsi for a while through the New Coke fiasco if it meant coming back with Coke Classic and a stronger share of the market. Palmer would give up countless ordinary tournament wins to Nicklaus if it meant a few more victories in the Majors. Washington would gladly concede the divisional title to Dallas every season if it led to more Super Bowl championships.

Application

The rivalry between Moses and Pharaoh was not your ordinary rivalry. It started off heated, and got hotter from there. It was also one-sided for a while. Moses kept dropping challenges, and Pharaoh kept sending him away with his caboose in his hands. So Moses went back to his Captain, and he eventually understood. All losses weren’t the same, and God was going to have the ultimate victory. It took a bit, but Moses soon realized that he must be willing to suffer loss for God’s ultimate gain. He didn’t initially see that, just like we often do not. We want God to go undefeated according to our scorebook. But He wants us to be willing to suffer defeat, or worse, embarrassment, if it means His ultimate glory. Is that part of your game plan?

Charge

As we seek Him today, don’t worry about a setback as you go forward in God’s will. Leave the victories to Him as you carry out your duty.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words