July 28, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional: The Long Game

Our Daily Bread Devotional For 28th July 2023, Friday ODB Message

July 28, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional, Friday ODB Message written by Tim Gustafson and Insight by K. T. Sim

TOPIC: The Long Game

Bible in a Year: Psalms 46–48; Acts 28

Key Verse: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.” Exodus 6:1

Today’s Scripture
Exodus 5:1-9

Our Daily Bread Devotional For 28th July 2023 Insight:

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.

July 28, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional Message:

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 Devotional For July 28, 2023, Friday ODB Message . Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.

READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY