📖 Lent 3 Old Testament Reading: Exodus 8:16-24

❓ Ever experienced those annoying gnats while camping or hiking — suddenly there’s a cloud of them, and they’re in your mouth and nose! 🦟

📜 In Exodus, the third plague turned all of Egypt’s dust into gnats, affecting everyone — Israelites included.

Yes, sometimes as believers, you suffer alongside unbelievers. 🤝

🔍 But notice what happens with the fourth plague — the swarm of stinging flies. 🪰🪰🪰

🛡️ God creates a distinction, protecting the land of Goshen where the Hebrews lived.

This separation wasn’t just for comfort but to demonstrate a crucial difference between dead idols 🗿 and the living God. ✨

💫 While idols remain lifeless, your God actively speaks and moves on behalf of His people.

In Goshen, there were no stinging accusations of the law causing despair. Instead, there was the protection of God’s covenant. ❤️

🌍 This distinction wasn’t exclusive to the Hebrews — many believing Egyptians joined the exodus and were saved, too. (God wants everyone to receive His promises! 💝)

This same distinction exists today between the church and the world. ⛪🌎

Around you, people struggle with constant accusations — academic pressure, social expectations, career demands — leading many to despair. 😔

❓ What makes you different? You’ve been called by Yahweh, the living God. 📣

As Exodus 33 says, it’s His presence with you that makes you distinct. 👣

The finger of God has touched you through the promises of Jesus Christ and your baptism. 💧

He’s delivered you by grace and given you His name and kingdom. 👑💫

The world doesn’t need more of what makes us similar — our sinful nature, our burdens, our drama. 🎭

💎 What others desperately need is what makes you different: God’s name, His kingdom, His word, His salvation, and the gracious gifts He provides. 🙏

Contributor Tim Droegemueller is Senior Pastor at Living Faith Lutheran Church in Cumming, Georgia.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #lent

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