Thursday, March 12, 2020
Bible Text: Exodus 7:10-12 “So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.”
Memory Verse: Luke 18:27 “He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”
One of my therapeutic activities is shopping and as someone who loves the shops, I have come across so many replica products that sincerely it takes all of wisdom to realise they are, because they are actual mimic of the real deal. The most surprising is how replicas are packaged, all in original cases and if you are not savvy, you will never realise you have purchased a replica.
I was recently on vacation to one of the wealthy countries in the globe, I entered into a few shops to check out new arrivals, as a person who has ways of crosschecking originals because I dislike being on the swindled side, it didn’t take long to detect some of the stores stocked replicas, products looked so original and having highlighted this to the sales advisors, they admitted and promised on the durability of those items to the point of vouching they will last just as the original. I couldn’t help but wonder how much money people loose each time they unintentionally buy imitation products with a mindset that they have purchased the real deal.
We live in a world where the devil and his agents are spreading their wings. Unfortunately, he has a way of making many things look real through manipulation, he is a very distinct chameleon and requires a spiritually sound person to detect his lies and concepts. First thing to note is that the devil is very knowledgeable therefore he finds a way to replicate things, making them look as lucrative and attractive and through this creates followers for himself. The devil has a kingdom and he has agents all of who are replica of the Kingdom of Heaven and God’s angels. The devil therefore is full of tricks that looks like miracles and wonders and that is why Christians are sometimes unable to tell the difference between miracle and magic.
The story of how the Lord used Moses and Aaron as instruments of deliverance for the children of Israel is a very interesting one which I refer to from time to time. The very first miracle was the rod of Aaron becoming a snake but the magicians in the land of Egypt did exactly the same thing. They agents of the devil proved that they can do same as what messengers of God can do.
The bible records in Exodus 7:12 that Aaron’s staff swallowed up that of the magicians but just like its always been from the beginning, there are a few people in today’s world who won’t have waited patiently till the end to see God’s victory over the devil. As far as they are concerned, magicians are able to do what Aaron did, so all way is a way and all that glitters is gold.
The Christianity preached then and now is not free of imitation, the world has its ways of repackaging wrong doctrines to look like God’s true gospel, we see all on media platforms today where people believe and act on non-biblical instruction given by a preacher man. Hence you need to know God for yourself and be savvy about the vices of the devil and his agents, knowing God gives you that confidence and encouragement to persevere and exercise patience till the Lord come through for you. Hearing from God is also key in today’s world as it ensures you are not manipulated by the devil because you know the voice of the Shepherd.
Magic will look like miracles but they are just magic and will remain tricks from the devil to confuse the people of this world, Christians inclusive. If you follow through the story in Exodus, you will see that even when water was turned into blood by Moses and Aron, the magicians could do same Exodus 7:20-22.
God’s miracles are distinct, you will realise they are different, seamless and adds no sorrow, you will identify they don’t look like real but they are for a fact real. Citing a few was how Sarah conceived at old age in Genesis 21, how the red sea parted and the Israelites walked between it on dry land according to Exodus 14, how a jar of flour and jug of oil is able to stay full until a famine passed 1kings 17, how over five thousand people were fed with five loads of breads and two fishes in Matthew 14. All these and a host of unlimited other both in the scriptures and undocumented. Amazingly, nothing was asked in return for these miracles hence you can sense the genuineness in them.
A magic is done to amaze you for a moment but it’s the miracle of God that stays with you forever. Don’t be deceived, you cannot perform magic to entice people for the kingdom of God as those magic does not glory God in any way. The Lord receive glory only for miracles done in His name. Anything done in any other name apart from that of God is not a miracle but a farce.
PRAYERS:
- Father I thank you for another wonderful day in your presence
- Thank you for the grace to know you and for you being my Shepherd
- Give me a discerning spirit Lord and foresight to identify the farce and lies of the devil
- I receive the grace to wait patiently until my change comes and not to subject to the ways of the world.
- Forgive my iniquities Lord and let your mercy prevail over judgement
- Thank you Father and in Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.
I’m reading the YouVersion plan ‘Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel’. Check it out by clicking on the caption below.
