Testifying God’s Power, Sharing His Work
BRD REFLECTIONS:
(Chua Chi Siong, Companions in Christ Facilitator, D&N)
READ:
The following verses from Exodus 18 caught my eye:
8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them. 9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”
18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.
OBSERVE:
Even though Moses had a heavy workload as God’s appointed leader over the people of Israel, he took time to fellowship with his father-in-law. He shared with him this first-hand account of how God had worked mightily to deliver the people of Israel from the bondage of slavery and through many hardships. and continued to lead them through many hardships in the yet-to-be completed task of journeying toward the promised land. His testimony brought joy to Jethro and led him to praise God and acknowledge that the God of Israel is “greater than all other gods” and had defended Israel.
Moses had taken on a lot of responsibilities, and Jethro wisely advised him to appoint godly men to assist him so he could focus on the key tasks of being the people’s representative before God, teaching andmodelling God’s Word in his life as well as presiding over more difficult issues.
APPLY:
I too have my first-hand account of how God has delivered me from the bondage of sin and death, through the sacrifice of Jesus. In my continued journey of sanctification, “through many dangers, toils and snares” (from Amazing Grace), God’s grace continues to sustain, protect and lead me. I should not be shy to testify about Christ and His work in my life to my loved ones, and trust that the Holy Spirit will do His work in moving their hearts.
God has given me, as His disciple, the key tasks of caring and interceding for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, people whom my spheres of influence touch and the world at large. He has also called me to be salt and light, teaching and modelling kingdom values and the love of Christ. However, I learn from the passage that it is good to carry each others’ burdens in serving our Lord, and not to be shy about asking for help when I am in need.
DO:
I will boldly share with my loved ones what God has done for me through His justifying and sanctifying grace.
I will commit to praying and interceding for others, whether in my quiet time, in small groups or at church-level prayer sessions.
I will not shirk my God-given responsibilities of teaching and role-modelling Christ in my daily life, especially to the family that God has blessed me with.
I will see God’s work as a collective effort and learn to share responsibilities as well as be on the look-out to carry others’ burdens.
PRAY:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the Cross and for continuing to be with me through the Holy Spirit in this life journey. I can trust in the justifying and sanctifying grace of God to bring me to my eternal home. May my heart always be filled with gratitude and joy, so that out of my mouth will come forth praise and testimony of Your wonderful love. In this world where busyness and overcommitment are worn as badges of pride, teach me to discern Your voice and faithfully serve in what you call me to do, for Your glory. Amen.
