Empowered by Fear: Courage in Dark Times

Devotional

Day 1: Reverential Fear Leads to Righteous Action

The Hebrew midwives exemplified a profound respect and awe for God, which empowered them to act righteously despite the danger posed by Pharaoh's decree. This fear of God is not about being scared but about recognizing His ultimate authority and power, which liberates us to act with courage and integrity. When we truly fear God, we prioritize His commands over human mandates, leading to actions that align with His will and demonstrate our trust in His sovereignty. This kind of fear cultivates wisdom and courage, enabling us to stand firm in our convictions, even in the face of opposition. [53:38]

Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." This passage highlights the contrast between the paralyzing fear of human opinion and the liberating trust in God's protection and guidance.

Reflection: In what situations have you found yourself compromising your values out of fear of others' opinions? How can you begin to cultivate a deeper fear of God in these areas?

Day 2: Recognizing God’s Presence in Our Trials

Even in the darkest times, such as those experienced by the Israelites under Egyptian oppression, God's presence remains steadfast and His purposes unfold. This understanding calls us to trust in God's sovereignty over every situation, believing that He is at work even when His interventions are not immediately visible. This trust should not be passive but should inspire us to engage actively with the world, armed with the knowledge of His omnipotence and love. By recognizing God's active presence in every circumstance, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and hope. [01:03:25]

Isaiah 43:2 states, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial where you felt overwhelmed. How might your response change if you focused on God’s presence and sovereignty in the midst of that situation?

Day 3: Embracing Our Weakness to Highlight God’s Strength

Paul’s teachings about delighting in our weaknesses, because Christ’s power rests on us, challenge our cultural norms that equate strength with self-sufficiency. In the kingdom of God, true strength is shown through our vulnerabilities, which highlight God's sufficiency and power. By embracing our limitations, we allow God's strength to manifest in our lives, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in our weakness. This perspective shifts how we view our inadequacies, seeing them as opportunities for God to work through us. [54:59]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reads, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel weak? How can you invite God to use this weakness as a showcase for His strength?

Day 4: Engaging the World with Christ’s Compassion

In an era of increasing marginalization of Christian values, withdrawing from society is not the answer. Instead, we are called to engage more deeply, reflecting Christ's love and truth in every interaction. This engagement should be characterized by the grace and compassion that Christ showed, even to those who opposed Him. By doing so, we not only uphold our Christian witness but also influence our communities positively, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ's love in practical and impactful ways. [01:02:48]

Colossians 4:5-6 advises, "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: How can you show Christ’s compassion in a specific relationship or interaction that has been challenging for you?

Day 5: Trusting in Divine Providence Amidst Human Affairs

The story of the midwives in Exodus demonstrates that God uses seemingly insignificant individuals to unfold His grand plans and demonstrate His power. This narrative encourages us to trust in God’s providence, knowing that He orchestrates events for His glory and our ultimate good, even when circumstances seem bleak. By acknowledging God's role in human affairs, we gain the courage to participate in His plans, confident that our actions contribute to a larger divine purpose. [49:19]

Esther 4:14 posits, "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life where you feel insignificant? How might God be using you in this situation for a purpose larger than you can see?

Sermon Summary

Today, I explored the profound themes of courage, trust, and divine providence as we continued our journey through the book of Exodus, focusing on the latter part of chapter 1. This passage, though challenging, reveals the beauty of God's presence in the midst of dark days for the Israelites. We delved into the narrative of the Hebrew midwives who, despite the oppressive edicts of Pharaoh, chose to fear God more than man. Their courageous actions underscored a central message of our faith: the fear of the Lord brings freedom to act righteously, even under threat.

We discussed how these dark days in Egypt were not just historical recountings but are reflective of the trials we face today. Whether it's personal struggles or societal injustices, the principle remains that God is sovereign and works His purposes even through the darkest times. This was vividly illustrated when the midwives, fearing God, defied Pharaoh, showing that God’s plans are not thwarted by human authority.

I emphasized that God's presence is constant, His love unchanging, and His power made perfect in our weakness. This truth should embolden us to live courageously for Christ, knowing that our actions are undergirded by divine strength. We were reminded of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12 about delighting in weaknesses because when we are weak, then we are strong through Christ who strengthens us.

In response to societal pressures and increasing marginalization, I called us to not withdraw but to engage more deeply, driven by a fear of the Lord rather than fear of man. This engagement should be marked by grace and compassion, reflecting Christ in every interaction, even when faced with opposition or misunderstanding.

As we concluded, we reflected on the power of God working through what seems weak and insignificant in the world’s eyes. The story of the midwives is not just their story—it’s a call to each of us to stand firm in our convictions, empowered by a correct understanding of fearing God, which brings wisdom and courage.

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Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What actions did the Hebrew midwives take in response to Pharaoh's command, and what was their motivation? ([44:09])
How does Paul describe his experience with weakness and God's response to it in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10?
According to Romans 8:28, what assurance do believers have about God's work in their lives, even in difficult times?
What was the societal context in Egypt that led to the oppression of the Israelites, and how did Pharaoh justify his actions? ([32:30])

Interpretation Questions

How does the fear of God, as demonstrated by the Hebrew midwives, empower individuals to act righteously in the face of danger or opposition? ([53:38])
In what ways does Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 challenge the cultural admiration of self-sufficiency and power?
How can the principle of Romans 8:28 provide comfort and encouragement during personal trials and societal injustices?
What does the story of the Hebrew midwives teach us about God's providence and the role of seemingly insignificant individuals in His plans? ([49:19])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision. How did your fear of God influence your actions, and what was the outcome? ([53:38])
Paul talks about delighting in weaknesses because Christ’s power rests on us. Identify a personal weakness you struggle with. How can you rely on Christ’s strength in this area? ([54:59])
Romans 8:28 assures us that God works for the good of those who love Him. How can you remind yourself of this truth when you face unexpected challenges or setbacks?
The Hebrew midwives showed courage by defying Pharaoh’s orders. In what ways can you stand firm in your convictions in your daily life, especially when facing societal pressures? ([44:09])
The sermon emphasized engaging with the world rather than withdrawing. What are some practical ways you can engage with your community, showing Christ’s love and truth, even when faced with opposition? ([01:02:48])
Think of a situation where you felt weak or insignificant. How can you trust that God is working through you, just as He did with the Hebrew midwives? ([49:19])
How can you cultivate a proper fear of God that leads to courageous living? What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your reverence and awe for God? ([56:51])

Sermon Clips

1) "Even when everything seemed to be lost and there was no hope? And these people felt so weak and helpless and unable to do anything about it. The key was these women, it says in Scripture, they feared God more than they feared who? Pharaoh." [53:38]( | | )

2) "three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, but he said to me, listen to God's message, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in what? Weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me." [54:59]( | | )

3) "When God called me, he figured in my stupidity. He already knew my weaknesses. He already knew my flaws. And guess what he did? He called me anyway, right? Why? Because his strength, he was strong enough for me to make this scene in my weaknesses." [56:06]( | | )

4) "you see because they're now enslaved and because they have no authority in the government at all and no representation in the Egyptian government they are powerless to stop this the Hebrew people are, they've got no way to keep this from happening but by the power of God the most powerful nation on earth at that point in human history ends up falling and being destroyed." [49:19]( | | )

5) "I'm convinced more and more that we don't withdraw, that we actually fearlessly engage and as we engage, we engage with compassion and graciousness. Think of how powerful that will be if that's the way we respond, if that's the way we engage." [01:02:48]( | | )

6) "Do you believe that if it even came to that? Say what? Well, I would die for Christ. Yeah, but will you speak up for them at work? At school? In the marketplace? In your family? You'll die for them. Will you live for them? That's what he needs. That's his plan. That's what he's calling us to." [01:06:11]( | | )

7) "Your love didn't change. Your promises are still true. And if we have the proper awe and respect and fear of you that we should have, then we can become the bold witnesses you called us to be because that witness stands out even more in our weakness than it could ever stand out in our strength." [01:08:14]( | | )

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