"....as it is written in the Law of Moses, the man of God." Ezra 3:2
In preparing for Father's Day this Sunday, God has been showing me lessons from the life of Moses on how He takes an ordinary man and makes him into the man He can use for His glory. It isn't fast, easy, or comfortable. In other words, it isn't the American way; but it is the Biblical way.
I have discovered that there is no such thing as an instant father, an instant leader, or even an instant pastor. For us to be the man (or woman) God wants to use to do mighty things through for His glory, He takes us through a process of preparation. I have also learned that with God, the process is just as important as the end result.
I saw five steps that God brought Moses through to make him into God's man for the time. Over these next four days, let me take a few moments and show you four of these before we spend Sunday morning looking at the final step.
Step One- Supernatural Protection.
All of us face the same enemy as Moses faced-the devil. He did everything he could to keep Moses from ever becoming the man of God, and he used Pharaoh as his instrument. Just like in today's modern self-centered, abortion culture, he started even before Moses was born by enacting a law which would kill all Hebrew babies.
Moses mother and dad took necessary steps to do all they could to protect their son.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. Heb 11:23
Their faith was rooted in the Word of God. They knew the Word of God; they had studied it. They knew God had said to Abraham, Know certainly that your descendants will be stronger in a land that is not theirs and will serve them and they will inflict them 4oo years. Also, this nation whom they serve, I will judge; afterward they will come out with great possessions. Gen. 15:13,14.
They saw he was a "beautiful" child. Of course, all parents (and grandparents) believe their baby is a beautiful child. However, that word in Hebrew means "special", "unique." Moses' parents knew what God had said. They had been looking at the calendar: 398, 399, 400 years. They knew now was the time for a deliverer to be born. All faith roots itself in the Word of God (Heb. 11:5; Rom. 10:17). Dads and moms-saturate your life in God's Word; read it; study it; memorize it; meditate upon it; apply it.
How do we know their faith was genuine? Because they did something! This is what Hebrews 11:23 says. Real faith takes action. James 2:26; For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
What did they do? They did all they could to put their little boy in an ark. Yes, he was in the Nile river, but don't miss this-what protected him was the fact that he was in the ark. We know from scriptures, that ark was a picture of the Ark of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ.
As parents, the only guaranteed protection for our children from the evil one, is to do all we can to place our children in the Ark of Christ. Take every advantage you have for your children to be involved in Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other Christians. Then, like Moses' parents, rest in the assurance of God's protection. Do not be afraid of the threats of the evil one.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. Heb 11:23
Thank you Preacher!
ReplyDeleteJudy A.