March 8, 2008
by Gary S. Smith
Exodus 6:6-7 (NLT) "I am the LORD, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment. I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the LORD your God who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt." Dear Supporting Friends and Family, This is what the Dinangat people learned this week. They saw God take a young boy named Joseph and shape him into a great leader and preserve the people of Israel through a horrible famine. And then hundreds of years later, the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites under slavery. The Dinangat quickly understood that they are in a similar position as the Israelites. Trapped in their sin under the heavy handed serpent of old. They shook their heads as they realized there is no escape! But God said those verses above, and as we stressed this to the Dinangat, smiles and nods swept through the crowd. As the first nine plaques were described to the them we found ourselves glorifying God together. Even Jimingke said, "We used to think that we could chew our ginger roots and control the weather. But now we see only God really has that power. Only God!" Beautiful. God is being glorified. On Monday they will see the final plague, and God's road for salvation, and the awesome event of the Israelites being powerfully freed from their dire position. I so look forward to drawing applications to their own lives through it all. Then as they move into the covenant relationship with God and realize that God's standard is perfection, it will no doubt set them up for their huge need of a savior! (Which of course is the purpose of the Law.) Please pray that they will continue to see their huge need; and that just as they have begun, will continue to look to God alone for that salvation! Next week lessons for your prayers: Monday - God killed the firstborn of the Egyptians but saved the firstborn of the Israelites. Tuesday - God delivered the Israelites at the Red Sea. Wednesday - God gave food and water to the Israelites Thursday - God made an agreement to bless the Israelites if they obeyed Him. (The purpose of the Law) Friday - God gave the 10 commandments (Part 1 - first 4 commands) One more thing, Esther and I were talking about the many comments we've read that say people admire us for being "on the front lines" and wish they could be here with us. To carry that analogy a bit further, the front lines is not necessarily a glorious place to be. How many of you saw Saving Private Ryan? Wow. Now that was front lines. Absolute chaos! How many deaths, wounds, and lost limbs? Sleep deprivation, unusual diets, confusion. The front lines are not easy. We are on the spiritual front lines, and we too are under attack. It's not the battle of Normandy, but it's tough. The benefit we have is you. And as a result we are encouraged. You fighting with and for us on your knees is winning this battle and hundreds of people will come out changed on the other side! Thank you! After all the Battle is the Lord's! Your Fellow Co-workers,
Gary, Esther, Charis, Caleb, Nathan, and Zachary Smith |
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