All of us need guidance to navigate the challenges we face, almost daily. God’s guidance can help us make the best decisions and know we’re headed in the right direction.
We discover three important elements to God’s guidance in the descriptions of the visits Moses and Aaron make with Pharaoh. All the disgusting things—frogs, gnats,etc—that happened were because Moses followed through on God’s instructions. They also resulted from Pharaoh’s stubbornness. In them we discover three important things that help us in prayer.
Moses had God’s grand picture of what he would do. Moses and Aaron also knew what they needed to do. In it, we see a pattern.
1. Listen to God
Again and again the chapters in Exodus say “God said to Moses…” This phrase appears repeatedly. Each time, God instructed Moses on what to do. He guided Moses each step of the way. Although not mentioned, this tells us that Moses had to listen to God. He did it regularly, each step of the way.
It’s a message for us when we need guidance. We should set aside to listen for God. I find the best way to regularly listen to God is to start my morning by reading the Bible. Usually, I choose a devotional too.
As you spend regular time with God, expect to hear from him.
2. Do what God tells you
Each time, Moses and Aaron when to Pharaoh and did what God told them.
Moses and Aaron did exactly as God commanded them.
In contrast we see that Pharaoh neither listened to God or did what God told him through Moses. At one point, when the plague of frogs was severe, Pharaoh began to listen. He started to follow through on what God wanted him to do.
Pharaoh called in Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to God to rid us of these frogs. I’ll release the people so that they can make their sacrifices and worship God” (Exodus 8:8 MSG).
However, as soon as the frogs were gone and life became easier again, Pharaoh returned to his old stubborn ways.
It’s a reminder to us. What we know we need to do, from listening to God, we need to follow through on completely. This could be through what we have read in our Bible reading or that day’s devotional. Sometimes we convince ourselves that doing everything God wants isn’t necessary. We feel that we don’t have to completely follow His guidance.
Let’s be women and men who do exactly what God is asking of us. It is important to have our hearts right with God.
When we are right with God, then our third point of guidance becomes easier.
3. Pray specific prayers
On a few occasions, Moses said he would pray for Pharaoh. Moses waited until he was alone with God, and there he cried out to God.
His prayers were specific.
Moses said to Pharaoh, “Certainly. Set the time. When do you want the frogs out of here, away from your servants and people and out of your houses? You’ll be rid of frogs except for those in the Nile.”
“Make it tomorrow.”
Moses said, “Tomorrow it is—so you’ll realize that there is no God like our God (Exodus 8:9-11 MSG).
Now that takes having confidence in what we pray and what God will do on our behalf. Most importantly, it encourages us to place our confidence in God. “So you’ll realize that there is no God like our God.”
You may have a Pharaoh in your life right now. This could be a person with whom you struggle to see a clear way forward.
Let’s draw guidance for how to move ahead from these three points. First, listen to God. Then, do what he tells you. Finally, pray specific prayers so that God is then glorified.
Pray
