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.

The Plague of Darkness

This is the ninth of ten plagues that God brings against Egypt. After each plague, Pharaoh repents, but it becomes clear that he has not experienced a true change of heart. In this plague we see an important change – the more Pharaoh has said “no” to God, the harder his heart has become. Here, finally, he is unable to even pretend to repent. This sets the stage for God’s most dramatic action yet…

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

Click here to access the reading from Exodus 10:21-29 

For more help use this Bible Study method

REFLECTION

Light Therapy
By Jennifer Jerrome

As we approach the time of year when night falls earlier and earlier, I can’t help but think about today’s passage… Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt – darkness that can be felt” (v.21). 

For some people less light means more sadness. In fact, seasonal affective disorder is commonly known as SAD and one of the recommended treatments is light therapy. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the idea behind light therapy is to replace the diminished sunshine of the fall and winter months using daily exposure to bright light. Symptoms of SAD may be relieved by sitting in front of a light box first thing in the morning, on a daily basis from the early fall until spring. 

God is our light therapy. He shines light in the darkness and gives us hope for a brighter tomorrow.  

Both the Old Testament and New Testament state…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2). The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Matthew 4:16).

So even when our world seems too dark to navigate, God is there to provide light like he did for the Israelites. He leads us out of the paralyzing darkness to a new life of freedom. And just like NIMH recommends we sit in front of a light first thing in the morning - starting each day sitting in front of God’s word and praying is the best therapy there is.

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER - FRIDAY

FAITH - Pray for faith instead of fear, that many would come to faith in Jesus and that we would all trust God more deeply during this time.