Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 February 11

Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel
(Exodus 1:1-12)

Today’s Morsel: I often observe the life of our Lord Jesus and His disciples.  The more they were afflicted, the more the church grew.  The more they were persecuted, beaten, and afflicted, the more the church multiplied and grew.  But today, we don’t want persecution and afflictions.  We seem to want the easy way out.  Would our churches grow more if we took a stand for righteousness and truth?  Would the people of God grow more spiritually and more like their Heavenly Father if they were afflicted more?  The Bible says that many of the afflictions of the righteous, but out of the them all the Lord delivered them (Psalm 34:19).  Israel went into Egypt with 70 people.  And when they were placed into slavery and became afflicted they began to multiply and grow.  So the next time you are feeling as though you are being afflicted, don’t try to get away from it, but rather stand still and see what the Lord is doing in your life.  He just might be growing you for what He’s getting ready to do through your life.

Sing: Jesus! Jesus! You know what best for me.  So lead on Jesus, I’ll go wherever You lead.

Thought For Today: “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small” (Proverbs 24:10).