Our Daily Bread for today is here. Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).
The word of God is food to the spirit man. “Eat and digest” the word of the Lord for today and let its unchanging power nuture your faith and help in your daily walk to Christ.
The Topic of Our Daily Bread For 28th July 2023 is “The Long Game”
Bible in a Year: Psalms 46–48 Acts 28
Memory Verse: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh.” Exodus 6:1
Today’s Scripture & Insight: Exodus 5:1–9
Scripture gives us the reasons God commissioned Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian servitude: “so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness” (Exodus 5:1), so they may “offer sacrifices to the Lord” (3:18), and so they “may worship [Hebrew ‘avad] me” (4:23; 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3). ‘Avad can also be translated “to serve” or “to be a slave,” as in the ESV: “Let my people go, that they may serve me” (7:16). To worship God is to serve Him. Having been forced to serve as slaves to the Egyptians, Israel was now set free to serve Yahweh.
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ODB MESSAGE FOR TODAY
When believers in Jesus in David’s country suffered oppression, their farm animals were killed. Having lost their livelihood, David’s family scattered to various countries. For nine years, he existed in a refugee camp far from his family. He knew God was with him, but during the separation, two family members died. He grew despondent.
Long ago, another people group faced brutal oppression. So God appointed Moses to lead those people—the Israelites—out of Egypt. Moses reluctantly agreed. But when he approached Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler only intensified the oppression (Exodus 5:6–9). “I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go,” he said (v. 2). The people complained to Moses, who complained to God (vv. 20–23).
In the end, God freed the Israelites and they got the freedom they wanted—but in His way and timing. He plays a long game, teaching us about His character and preparing us for something greater.
David made good use of his years in a refugee camp, earning a master’s degree from a New Delhi seminary. Now he’s a pastor to his own people—refugees like him who have found a new home. “My story as a refugee forms the crucible for leading as a servant,” he says. In his testimony, David cites Moses’ song in Exodus 15:2: “The Lord is my strength and my defense.” And today, He’s ours as well.
Reflect & Pray
What questions do you have for God? How will you trust Him to keep His word?
Heavenly Father, I can always rely on You. Forgive me when I lose sight of that truth.
Our Daily Bread 2023 Devotional is written by Tim Gustafson and published by Our Daily Bread Ministries. Read more
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