In my recent Bible reading, I read about the ten plagues that God meted out to the Egyptians through Moses. I was impressed by the extraordinary happenings and two remarkable statements – one from Moses and the other from the Egyptian magicians.
Statement from Moses – “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.”
This was the second of the ten plagues – frogs. Ex 8:7 states ‘ … the magicians did the same by their secret arts and made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’ but they could not stop the plague.
‘Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with the LORD to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.” ’ Ex 8:8
After asking Pharoah as to when he wished the plague to be stopped, Ex 8:10 records Moses’ astounding statement – “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.”
Devotional thought – Many years ago, I had a set of books entitled, ‘That the World May Know.’ It related to the spread of the Gospel across the world. It mentioned the fact that black magic, signs, wonders and supernatural happenings are taking place among the different religions in the world. The antics of shamans are well-known. As we and our missionaries seek to proclaim Jesus, may those whom we minister to know that there is no one like the Lord our God.
Statement from the Egyptian magicians – “This is the finger of God.”
This arose from the third plague – gnats. This time round, the magicians were powerless. Ex 8:18“The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not . . . .“ In desperation, they recognised the power behind the plague. Ex 8:19 records their declaration: “This is the finger of God.”
Devotional thought – While the debate continues regarding the source of the COVID-19 virus, the view among Christian circles is that this is nothing short of the finger of God, viz God is carrying out His affairs in the world towards His intended purpose.
May those who do not know God, those who deny the existence of God and those who choose to fight against God be brought to acknowledge that the finger of God is actively at work, whether in this COVID-19 endemic or in their lives.
Join me in this prayer:
Dear God, thank you for preserving my life. It is because of Your great faithfulness that I am not consumed. Thank you for the assurance of salvation through my Lord Jesus Christ. Make my life count for You. I pray that the unbelieving world will recognise that there is none like You. I pray that they may acknowledge You to be the One Who directs the course of this world. Amen.
Elder Richard Lai
