Scripture Union Daily Guide 12th August 2020 – God Is Sovereign
TODAY’S TOPIC: GOD IS SOVEREIGN
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that you sanctify my spirit, soul and body as I read your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:17–29
17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:
21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
Reflection
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• What is God revealing to me in this passage?
TODAY’S OUTLINE: DAILY GUIDE 12TH AUGUST 2020
Stephen’s review of Jewish history shows how God’s sovereignty overrides obstacles so he can carry out his purpose. When in difficulties, we can say with Isaiah, “I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my defence” (Isaiah 12:2).
What was the outcome of the formal education that Moses received (v.22)? How about Daniel and his Jewish colleagues in Babylon (Daniel 1:3–7; 17–20). What skills did Moses and Daniel and his friends receive that helped them in ministry?
Whenever we have the opportunity to study, we need to do so diligently. The history of Israel is linked with Africa: God nurtured his tribe (nation) in Africa (v.17); baby Jesus’ parents retreated with him to Africa for a while (Matthew 2:13–15); an African helped him carry his cross (Mark 15:21).
Faith in God is not a foreign idea but part of Africa’s cultural experience. Vv.18–19 describe the Israelites’ suffering in bondage. But Exodus 2:23–25 reveal the good this distress brought about. In times when we face daunting problems, we can count on God for help.
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• Meditation: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7, NIV).
Today’s Prayer:
• Intercede for people in distress that you know about. Remember nations in economic and political stress, and those battling natural disasters.
• Pray for wisdom upon leaders of the country to lead aright, with the fear of the Lord.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalm 3:8
Read the Bible in one Year
Psalms 87–88; 1 Peter 3
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Scripture Union Daily Guide 11th August 2020