January 21
Today’s Reading
Exodus 1–2
Psalm 88
Luke 21
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Scripture Focus
“But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too. So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: ‘Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.’”
Exodus 1:17, 20–22 (NLT)
⸻
Summary & Reflection
This is not random history. This is God faithfully unfolding what He promised in Genesis 15—generation by generation. Long before Israel ever cried out under slavery, God had already spoken that they would be strangers in a foreign land, oppressed for a time, but not forgotten. His silence was not abandonment. His delay was not denial. God’s timing has always been perfect, and He is long-suffering with His people.
From the beginning, God made Himself known, and that knowledge was passed down. Abraham had stories to tell of a God who called, promised, and provided. Isaac heard those stories. Jacob lived them. Joseph trusted God through betrayal, suffering, and years in Egypt—believing that God was still faithful even when circumstances were dark. That faith did not end with Joseph. It was carried forward through generations, shaping a people who knew the true and living God.
As oppression increased in Egypt, faith shined brighter. Before miracles, before plagues, before deliverance, there were two midwives who feared God more than Pharaoh. They trusted God in the face of death and chose obedience when it was dangerous. God honored their faith, and through their quiet courage, life was preserved. Deliverance often begins in hidden obedience long before it becomes visible.
The same faith is seen in Moses’ mother. While other babies were being thrown into the river, she placed her son into the river by faith. She released what she loved most into God’s hands, trusting that God could protect what she could not. This was not desperation—it was surrender. Faith shines brightest in dark times, but it only shines when we trust God with our lives, not just our words.
Moses leaving Egypt was not random. His preservation, his upbringing, his exile, and his calling all unfolded according to God’s perfect timing. God had never turned His back on His people. He was watching, remembering, and preparing. And when the moment had fully come, Scripture tells us, “He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.” God always moves at the appointed time.
What we see in Exodus is a faithful God who keeps His word, a patient God who works across generations, and a merciful God who brings deliverance in His perfect time. Faith passed down, obedience in the dark, and trust in the unseen were never wasted. God was never absent—He was always at work.
This story may be about Moses and God preparing to move, but the heroes are the women. Their fear of God anchored them in dark and dangerous times. They trusted God even when He was silent, believing He was present and faithful. They did not lean on their understanding of events or circumstances, but chose obedience over fear. Their faith—passed down through generations—shined in the darkness and became the foundation God used to bring deliverance.
⸻
Lesson for Me
I am reminded that fearing God anchors my heart when life feels dark, silent, or confusing. Even when I cannot see Him moving, I can trust that He is present, faithful, and true to His promises. I do not have to understand my circumstances to trust my God.
The midwives feared God and were given families of their own. Moses’ mother trusted God with her son, and God preserved his life and used him for deliverance. God saw their faith, honored their obedience, and rewarded their trust. I want to live with that same settled resolve—to trust Him fully, obey Him faithfully, and never sin against Him by doubting His goodness, no matter how dark the situation becomes.
⸻
Application Questions
•Where am I tempted to believe God has abandoned me because He feels silent?
•What would it look like for me to fear God more than I fear people, outcomes, or loss?
•In what area am I leaning on my own understanding instead of trusting God’s promises?
•Is there an act of obedience God is asking of me right now—even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?
•What am I holding too tightly that God is asking me to surrender into His hands?
•How can my faith shine in the dark season I am walking through?
•What legacy of faith am I passing down to those who are watching my life?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, I choose to fear You above all else. Help me to trust You even when You are silent and my circumstances feel dark or confusing. Guard my heart from leaning on my own understanding, and give me a settled resolve to believe Your promises are true. Thank You for being faithful across generations and for never abandoning Your people. I trust that You are with me, that You are at work, and that You will act at the appointed time. I place my life fully in Your hands. Amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to see, surrender, or trust Him with today. Write until your thoughts pause. Reread what you’ve written, listening for His voice. Begin with: “My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…” and receive what He speaks to your heart.
Today’s Reading
Exodus 1–2
Psalm 88
Luke 21
⸻
Scripture Focus
“But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too. So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: ‘Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.’”
Exodus 1:17, 20–22 (NLT)
⸻
Summary & Reflection
This is not random history. This is God faithfully unfolding what He promised in Genesis 15—generation by generation. Long before Israel ever cried out under slavery, God had already spoken that they would be strangers in a foreign land, oppressed for a time, but not forgotten. His silence was not abandonment. His delay was not denial. God’s timing has always been perfect, and He is long-suffering with His people.
From the beginning, God made Himself known, and that knowledge was passed down. Abraham had stories to tell of a God who called, promised, and provided. Isaac heard those stories. Jacob lived them. Joseph trusted God through betrayal, suffering, and years in Egypt—believing that God was still faithful even when circumstances were dark. That faith did not end with Joseph. It was carried forward through generations, shaping a people who knew the true and living God.
As oppression increased in Egypt, faith shined brighter. Before miracles, before plagues, before deliverance, there were two midwives who feared God more than Pharaoh. They trusted God in the face of death and chose obedience when it was dangerous. God honored their faith, and through their quiet courage, life was preserved. Deliverance often begins in hidden obedience long before it becomes visible.
The same faith is seen in Moses’ mother. While other babies were being thrown into the river, she placed her son into the river by faith. She released what she loved most into God’s hands, trusting that God could protect what she could not. This was not desperation—it was surrender. Faith shines brightest in dark times, but it only shines when we trust God with our lives, not just our words.
Moses leaving Egypt was not random. His preservation, his upbringing, his exile, and his calling all unfolded according to God’s perfect timing. God had never turned His back on His people. He was watching, remembering, and preparing. And when the moment had fully come, Scripture tells us, “He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.” God always moves at the appointed time.
What we see in Exodus is a faithful God who keeps His word, a patient God who works across generations, and a merciful God who brings deliverance in His perfect time. Faith passed down, obedience in the dark, and trust in the unseen were never wasted. God was never absent—He was always at work.
This story may be about Moses and God preparing to move, but the heroes are the women. Their fear of God anchored them in dark and dangerous times. They trusted God even when He was silent, believing He was present and faithful. They did not lean on their understanding of events or circumstances, but chose obedience over fear. Their faith—passed down through generations—shined in the darkness and became the foundation God used to bring deliverance.
⸻
Lesson for Me
I am reminded that fearing God anchors my heart when life feels dark, silent, or confusing. Even when I cannot see Him moving, I can trust that He is present, faithful, and true to His promises. I do not have to understand my circumstances to trust my God.
The midwives feared God and were given families of their own. Moses’ mother trusted God with her son, and God preserved his life and used him for deliverance. God saw their faith, honored their obedience, and rewarded their trust. I want to live with that same settled resolve—to trust Him fully, obey Him faithfully, and never sin against Him by doubting His goodness, no matter how dark the situation becomes.
⸻
Application Questions
•Where am I tempted to believe God has abandoned me because He feels silent?
•What would it look like for me to fear God more than I fear people, outcomes, or loss?
•In what area am I leaning on my own understanding instead of trusting God’s promises?
•Is there an act of obedience God is asking of me right now—even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?
•What am I holding too tightly that God is asking me to surrender into His hands?
•How can my faith shine in the dark season I am walking through?
•What legacy of faith am I passing down to those who are watching my life?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, I choose to fear You above all else. Help me to trust You even when You are silent and my circumstances feel dark or confusing. Guard my heart from leaning on my own understanding, and give me a settled resolve to believe Your promises are true. Thank You for being faithful across generations and for never abandoning Your people. I trust that You are with me, that You are at work, and that You will act at the appointed time. I place my life fully in Your hands. Amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to see, surrender, or trust Him with today. Write until your thoughts pause. Reread what you’ve written, listening for His voice. Begin with: “My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…” and receive what He speaks to your heart.
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