Session 10

When you can’t see clearly

From Exodus: A 34-Day Devotional

How many times do you have to hear something before you realize it’s true?

Pharaoh had a hard time listening to the words God spoke through Moses and Aaron. Time after time, they explained God’s desire for the Israelites to be freed from slavery. Pharaoh repeatedly responded with pride and rebellion against God. Because of his disobedience, plagues hit the land of Egypt and caused people around Pharaoh to suffer.

Pharaoh didn’t want to admit it, but even his advisers urged him, “Let the people go, so that they may worship the Lord their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?” (Exodus 10:7).

Sometimes we’re blind to how things really are, even when the people around us can see it clearly. Our foolish choices often hurt the people we love. Maybe our unforgiving relationship with our parents unintentionally causes us to be harsh with our own children. Perhaps our frustration at work is spilling over into frustration in our marriage.

When we fail to deal with the circumstances that challenge our faith, it gets easier and easier to say “no” to the better ways God for us. But no matter how we’ve rebelled against God in the past, He gives us new chances to say “yes” to Him.

Sometimes it takes the people around us to point something out so we can get back on track.

We don’t have to make all the decisions of life alone. By humbly trusting the perspective of people who care about us, we take a step closer to being who God’s made us to be.

Reflect:

• When was one time you realized how your actions impacted people around you?
• What’s the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom you gained from a friend?
• Who has God placed in your life who can help you make the best decisions?