Scripture to Read: Exodus 8:16–32
Today, we read about the third and fourth plagues, the plagues of the gnats and flies. God did not send Moses to speak to Pharaoh before the gnats came. God said to Moses, in Exodus 8:16, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.’” Also, as I mentioned in yesterday’s devotion about the limited power of the spiritual forces of darkness, we see it clearly today. God’s Word tells us, in Exodus 8:18–19, “The magicians tried with their secret arts to bring forth gnats, but they could not; so there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘This is the finger of God.’” The magicians were in awe of God and His power. God’s Word does not tell us if the gnats were removed before God sent the flies; nevertheless, before they were sent, God had Moses speak to Pharaoh about them. Also, God made it clear through Moses to Pharaoh that He would put a division between His people (the nation of Israel) and Pharaoh’s people (the Egyptians). The flies came, and Pharaoh called for Moses. Pharaoh tried to compromise with God, for he told Moses (in Exodus 8:25), “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” God had clearly said (several times before), through Moses, that the Israelites must journey for three days before offering their sacrifice to Him. God’s Word is always clear, and we must never compromise but always obey His Word.
Challenge & Application
· How has God revealed to you His awesome power and shown you how it far outdoes anything this world tries to offer us?
· How have you been tempted by the enemy to compromise on God’s Word, and how did you overcome it?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!