Can God count On You?
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives whose names were Shiphrah and Puah "when you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live."
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"
The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"
The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.
Pharaoh had an agenda: To diminish and possibly eliminate the people of God. The most direct way to do that was to eliminate life at infancy: Don't let the male infants see the light of day; kill them at birth! Pharaoh was counting on the Hebrew midwives to help carry out his murderous plan. The midwives, however, feared God and refused to murder the baby boys.
When confronted by Pharaoh, they gave an answer that could only have been inspired by divine wisdom: "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." As a result of their God-fearing stance, God looked with favor on the midwives and rewarded them. God could count on the midwives. They used their careers to serve God's purposes.
Our professions and careers, must ultimately serve the purposes of God's kingdom. There are times when we are enticed by superiors to become part of decisions and actions that are contrary to what is right before God. Those can be challenging and trying moments for our livelihood and careers. Do we get roped in because of the fear of economic losses and possible jeopardizing of our careers? Or do we take a stand for what is right and trust God to see us through? Can God count on us for His Kingdom agenda?
The Hebrew midwives took a stand for God. They stood against evil and God blessed, protected and rewarded them. Can God count on you to take a stand for His agenda? Taking a stand for the divine agenda is never easy but the reward is ultimately immeasurable. It is a practical expression of our faith in the Living God. It is a sign of our trust in God. God Himself says in Isaiah 49:23, "...those who hope in me will not be disappointed." When God counts on you, you can count on His blessing and protection. Can God count on you?
When confronted by Pharaoh, they gave an answer that could only have been inspired by divine wisdom: "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." As a result of their God-fearing stance, God looked with favor on the midwives and rewarded them. God could count on the midwives. They used their careers to serve God's purposes.
Our professions and careers, must ultimately serve the purposes of God's kingdom. There are times when we are enticed by superiors to become part of decisions and actions that are contrary to what is right before God. Those can be challenging and trying moments for our livelihood and careers. Do we get roped in because of the fear of economic losses and possible jeopardizing of our careers? Or do we take a stand for what is right and trust God to see us through? Can God count on us for His Kingdom agenda?
The Hebrew midwives took a stand for God. They stood against evil and God blessed, protected and rewarded them. Can God count on you to take a stand for His agenda? Taking a stand for the divine agenda is never easy but the reward is ultimately immeasurable. It is a practical expression of our faith in the Living God. It is a sign of our trust in God. God Himself says in Isaiah 49:23, "...those who hope in me will not be disappointed." When God counts on you, you can count on His blessing and protection. Can God count on you?
Prayer: Father, I ask for grace for the times ahead. Help me to be steadfast in my faith so that you can count on me to take a stand for your purposes. Amen.