Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 31, 2023: SOAP #4807: Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 7:27  “But the man who was ill-treating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.
30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.

OBSERVATION:  Moses was providentially raised in the palace of Egypt.  But his heart was with his people, the Israelites.  He tried to take things in his own hands, killing an Egyptian who was mistreating an Israelite.  But his people were not ready to accept Him as their savior.  With his deed known, Moses fled to Midian where he lived for 40 years.  While the Israelites were crying to God for deliverance, Moses was building a family, tending sheep on the backside of the wilderness. 

APPLICATION: Joseph was in prison for two years after telling the dreams of the baker and the cup-bearer.  Two totally unnecessary years…but he was totally in the will of God!   
Moses lived 40 years in Midian, away from family and friends, unable to help those with whom he identified…but he too was totally in the will of God!

Some lessons I have learned through similar times:  1.  God is responsible for His Word.  I am not to make it happen; I cannot make it happen.  2.  I should maintain a daily relationship with the Lord.  Be a worshipper!  He will work on my attitudes.  The lessons I learned as I stayed faithful now prove to be fruitful.  3.  I should willingly and faithfully serve in lesser places.  4.  I have been greatly surprised at how God has used small things done as a servant.  5.  I can trust God to bring opportunities to me rather than seek them out myself.  His opportunities come with His timing.

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I can trust you and your wisdom to have me in the right place at the right time.  I can trust you to give me the words that best express what you want to say through me.  I do not need to understand; your presence assures me that I am with you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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