Darkness That Can Be Felt

Dear Readers, We want to let you know that we are moving to a new platform. Your morning reflections can now be found here. You can sign up to have them emailed to you each day, just like you do now on this site. Again, the new platform is located on the UALC website. (https://www.ualc.org/dailyworship) Contact Judy Webb if you have questions (judithannie.webb@gmail.com)

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Give thanks to God for all that He gives. And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

 Exodus 10:21-29

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Darkness That Can Be Felt

by Judy Webb

Our reading today brings us to the ninth plague, the plague of darkness. There have been times in our lives where we have found ourselves in darkness. Perhaps a storm has knocked out the power and the lights are gone. The blackness of the dark day is thick feeling, ominous and frightening.

Moses now finds himself near the end of this battle with Pharaoh. When the stubborn ruler reneged, once again, on his promise to release the Israelites, God uses Moses to dip the nation into total darkness. One can only imagine the chaos and confusion that descended on the land.

When our lights go out, no matter how temporary, we run to get the candles and flashlights. Children cry out in fear and panic sets in. We don't like darkness; we are afraid of losing control over our steps. The reading states that, “Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.” (Exodus 10:23b). God certainly knows how to make a nation feel special, chosen even. If there were any doubt before, the Israelites should feel confident now. This was no normal darkness. One commentary described it as having a supernatural element. A darkness that can be felt! (v21)

Pharaoh would not back down. He said they could leave, but that they couldn't take anything with them. Moses rejected this offer and Pharaoh said to Moses, " Get out of my sight!. Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die." (v28) An interesting choice of words given that total darkness has descended over the land. Darkness often symbolized judgment and knowing the Egyptians worshipped the sun, this was most likely more serious than we can know.

The final blow is yet to come. Come back tomorrow for the continuing story, God's Story of Redemption and Salvation.