January 26
Today’s Reading
Exodus 14–16
Acts 2
⸻
OT Scripture Focus
“I have planned this in order to display my glory… After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”
Exodus 14:4 (NLT)
“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today… The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Exodus 14:13–14 (NLT)
“When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”
Exodus 14:18 (NLT)
“When the people of Israel saw the mighty power… they put their faith in the Lord.”
Exodus 14:31 (NLT)
“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?”
Exodus 15:11 (NLT)
“If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God… then I will not make you suffer… for I am the Lord who heals you.”
Exodus 15:26 (NLT)
⸻
Summary & Reflection
Can you imagine being there?
I’ve read through the Bible every year for over 25 years, and every time I come to this part, it never gets old. I still try to picture myself standing there—as one who has been set free by God’s mighty hand, by His wonders, and by His power.
Again and again in these chapters, God says “so they will know that I am the Lord.”
Not just once—but over and over.
God’s desire is not only to rescue His people, but to reveal Himself to them.
He wants them to know Him.
To trust Him.
To see that He is in control of every detail.
He parts the sea.
He defeats the enemy.
He displays His glory.
And then He leads them… straight into the wilderness.
Just three days after the miracle, they face bitter water—
and God uses a piece of wood to make it sweet.
God is already planting visions of Jesus—
long before He ever comes.
So that when He does come, they would understand:
God always intended to send Him.
But even after seeing the sea split…
even after watching their enemies fall…
they begin to complain.
“If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt…”
Exodus 16:3 (NLT)
They forgot the chains.
They forgot the cries.
They forgot the suffering.
They even lied to themselves.
Yet God, in mercy, responds again—not with judgment, but with provision:
“I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you… I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.”
Exodus 16:4 (NLT)
God was not just feeding them.
He was teaching them to trust Him daily.
This is the journey of every believer.
God rescues us.
God reveals Himself.
And then God patiently teaches us—
one day at a time—to walk by faith, not by sight.
As we walk with the children of Israel,
we are learning with them:
•That miracles are not the end — they are the beginning.
•That freedom requires faith.
•That knowing God is a daily relationship, not a one-time moment.
He saves us so we would know Him.
He provides so we would trust Him.
He leads so we would follow Him.
And just like them…
He is still proving today:
He is the Lord.
⸻
Lesson for Me
God does not only want me to be delivered —
He wants me to truly know Him.
Even when I complain, forget, or grow fearful,
He remains faithful to teach me, provide for me, and lead me closer to His heart.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Where have I seen God clearly move in my life—but still struggle to trust Him in my present situation?
2.What “wilderness” season am I in right now, and how might God be teaching me to depend on Him daily?
3.What has God already done that I need to remember instead of complain?
4.Am I trusting God for today’s provision, or worrying about tomorrow?
⸻
Prayer
Lord, thank You for rescuing me, providing for me, and never giving up on me.
Help me to remember Your power when I am afraid, and Your faithfulness when I grow weary.
Teach me to trust You one day at a time.
I want to know You more deeply—not just through what You do, but through who You are.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus. Ask Him what He is teaching you through this message.
Write what you hear—until your thoughts pause.
Then reread it and pray it back to Him.
Begin with: “My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…”
Today’s Reading
Exodus 14–16
Acts 2
⸻
OT Scripture Focus
“I have planned this in order to display my glory… After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”
Exodus 14:4 (NLT)
“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today… The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Exodus 14:13–14 (NLT)
“When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”
Exodus 14:18 (NLT)
“When the people of Israel saw the mighty power… they put their faith in the Lord.”
Exodus 14:31 (NLT)
“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?”
Exodus 15:11 (NLT)
“If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God… then I will not make you suffer… for I am the Lord who heals you.”
Exodus 15:26 (NLT)
⸻
Summary & Reflection
Can you imagine being there?
I’ve read through the Bible every year for over 25 years, and every time I come to this part, it never gets old. I still try to picture myself standing there—as one who has been set free by God’s mighty hand, by His wonders, and by His power.
Again and again in these chapters, God says “so they will know that I am the Lord.”
Not just once—but over and over.
God’s desire is not only to rescue His people, but to reveal Himself to them.
He wants them to know Him.
To trust Him.
To see that He is in control of every detail.
He parts the sea.
He defeats the enemy.
He displays His glory.
And then He leads them… straight into the wilderness.
Just three days after the miracle, they face bitter water—
and God uses a piece of wood to make it sweet.
God is already planting visions of Jesus—
long before He ever comes.
So that when He does come, they would understand:
God always intended to send Him.
But even after seeing the sea split…
even after watching their enemies fall…
they begin to complain.
“If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt…”
Exodus 16:3 (NLT)
They forgot the chains.
They forgot the cries.
They forgot the suffering.
They even lied to themselves.
Yet God, in mercy, responds again—not with judgment, but with provision:
“I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you… I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.”
Exodus 16:4 (NLT)
God was not just feeding them.
He was teaching them to trust Him daily.
This is the journey of every believer.
God rescues us.
God reveals Himself.
And then God patiently teaches us—
one day at a time—to walk by faith, not by sight.
As we walk with the children of Israel,
we are learning with them:
•That miracles are not the end — they are the beginning.
•That freedom requires faith.
•That knowing God is a daily relationship, not a one-time moment.
He saves us so we would know Him.
He provides so we would trust Him.
He leads so we would follow Him.
And just like them…
He is still proving today:
He is the Lord.
⸻
Lesson for Me
God does not only want me to be delivered —
He wants me to truly know Him.
Even when I complain, forget, or grow fearful,
He remains faithful to teach me, provide for me, and lead me closer to His heart.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Where have I seen God clearly move in my life—but still struggle to trust Him in my present situation?
2.What “wilderness” season am I in right now, and how might God be teaching me to depend on Him daily?
3.What has God already done that I need to remember instead of complain?
4.Am I trusting God for today’s provision, or worrying about tomorrow?
⸻
Prayer
Lord, thank You for rescuing me, providing for me, and never giving up on me.
Help me to remember Your power when I am afraid, and Your faithfulness when I grow weary.
Teach me to trust You one day at a time.
I want to know You more deeply—not just through what You do, but through who You are.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus. Ask Him what He is teaching you through this message.
Write what you hear—until your thoughts pause.
Then reread it and pray it back to Him.
Begin with: “My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…”
Type your new text here.