Exodus 9

Exodus 9:16

A few years ago, I told a story about one of the most important nights in my life. The short version of the story one night on Spring Break in college, I took on multiple police officers in a physical altercation. And though that moment set in motion a series of decisions that led to a life devoted to God, I didn't immediately change. In fact, I walked out of a jail cell 11 hours later and was right back on the streets of Daytona Beach drinking and partying again.

Have you ever wondered why it seems like some of the most ungodly people are seemingly living their best lives? Here you are, trying to pursue the will of God but it feels like there is struggle on every side. Meanwhile, your friend is all over Instagram showing off their baecation in Aruba with someone who is not their spouse.  

I imagine that's how the Israelites felt. They were supposed to be God's chosen people. Yet here they were enslaved while a pagan land like Egypt, which worshipped its king as a god, was thriving.

Why hadn't God just come down and smite them all? Why didn't he wipe out the entire people group and give the Israelites the land they were in?

Well it appears that in this case, God was allowing Pharaoh to be built up just so God could prove himself as God.


What if God allows the ungodly to flourish just so that he can ultimately show his power to the whole earth?

In this case, God's power will be shown by conquering the most powerful nation on the earth at the time. Later in history, he would allow the Romans to flourish to show his power through the resurrection of his son Jesus.

And for me personally, he allowed me to live on March 9, 2010 to show his power through the life change that I would experience over the next 15 years.

Looking back, I was very lucky to live that night as so many young Black men in my situation could have had their lives taken from them. And I often reflect on how the life I live today is only because God let me live that night for a purpose...to make his name known on the whole earth.

Today, take time to consider the reason God has let you live to this point. I don't know about you, but I'm so glad he let me live long enough to fulfill his purpose for my life.

1. Reflect on your life journey. Write down 2-3 instances where God may have used challenging circumstances to shape you or reveal His power.
2. Choose one area of your life where you're struggling to see God's purpose. Commit to praying daily this week for insight and trust in His plan.
3. Identify someone in your life who may be questioning why ungodliness seems to flourish. Share the perspective from this devotional with them and offer encouragement.
4. Create a personal mission statement that reflects how you believe God wants to use your life "to make his name known on the whole earth."

Closing Prayer: Close this time of reflection by thanking God for His sovereign plan, even when we don't understand it. Ask for wisdom to see His purpose in our lives and the courage to fulfill that purpose, making His name known through our words and actions.

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