Day 4 - God Takes Care of His Chosen by Pastor Nate Noe

In the world's oldest and most famous story, the God of Israel miraculously delivers His people from Pharaoh. Unfortunately, there’s always a new Pharaoh striving for power and a different Babylon system of man-worship that God will resist.

Because of this, we shouldn't be surprised when God creates sharper contrasts this year between what is His and what isn’t. His kingdom will rise and shine while the false kingdom of man-made utopia will darken. May those around us see that we are more joyful, more hopeful, more fearless, more mentally healthy, more generous, more fulfilled with life-giving relationships, and more provided for in every sense.

'Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, so that they may serve Me. But if you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them, now hear this: the hand of the Lord will fall on your livestock which are out in the field, on the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks—a horrible plague shall come. But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing that belongs to the Israelites will die.’ ” The Lord set a [definite] time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” And the Lord did this thing the next day, and all [kinds of] the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the Israelites, not one died.'
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭6 ‭AMP‬‬

God highlighted verse 4 to me: “But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing that belongs to the Israelites will die.”

As we hear of wars and conflicts, food shortages and supply chain issues, may God distinguish between our cattle and Egypt’s cattle, between what is living and what is dying. Not because we are deserving, but for His glory! Because our Father is THE gift giver. He fiercely distinguishes Himself from idolatry, from the vague, malleable life-force energy that old fashioned paganism has always offered. He's narrowly defined Himself through the ultimate gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ and all of His kingdom, now and forever!

There is a door: a threshold between chaos and order, represented by the blood on the door at Passover and the door of the Ark. It distinguishes between the chaos waters outside and the mini-Eden inside where there is safety, abundance, and multiplication of blessing. Christ is the door, the ONLY door. God graciously allowed the Egyptians also to paint the blood on their doors to protect them from the angel of death. Some listened and obeyed and some had hard hearts. God please soften the hearts of our city, our country, our world. May they experience Your kindness that leads to repentance that Paul describes in Romans 2:4.

Let us examine our lives and distinguish between what is of cursed Egypt and what is of the blessed Kingdom of God. Ask yourself, Are there any dead end pursuits in my heart? What really matters? What is of the eternal Kingdom and what is lifeless chaff, needing to be thrown away?

Pray with me: "God, please cleanse my heart and mind. Make life-giving distinctions, boundaries and separations in my life. Place me on Your path and give me eyes to distinguish what is of Your Kingdom and what is not. Amen." 

May the Lord continue to take care of you, His chosen.
-Pastor Nate Noe