Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 1

"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: Though scripture, I often observe the life of Jesus and His people that the more they were afflicted the more they seem to grow.  In the New Testament, the more they were persecuted, beaten and afflicted, the more the church multiplied and grew.  But today, there seems to be an avoidance by people not to be persecuted or afflicted.  They seem to want an easy way. Would the church grow more if we took a stand for righteousness and truth in today’s world even if it brought persecution and affliction?  Would the people of God grow more spiritually and become more like their Heavenly Father if they were afflicted more?  The Bible says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (Psalms 34:19).  Israel went down into Egypt with 70 people.  And when they were placed into slavery and afflicted, they multiplied and grew.  So the next time you are feeling as though you are being afflicted, don’t try to get away from it, but 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 you.

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

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