Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 CHRISTIAN PRESENCE IN NATION BUILDING

Exodus 18:13-27 

In Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had come to visit Moses and saw he sat from morning until evening standing as a judge for the people and answering their doubts and concerns about God. Jethro warns Moses that he will wear himself out and the people as well if he continues to lead the people with this method. Jethro then immediately takes the initiative to help Moses. In his advice, Jethro assures Moses that God will be with him. He then tells Moses to assign capable men who were God-fearing, trustworthy and hated dishonest gain over thousands, hundreds, the fifties, and tens. 
We see that Jethro helps Moses through an overwhelming situation. Israel is a newly forming nation, and Moses had to be the judge of thousands of people all by himself. Jethro guides Moses to help form Israel as a nation and even gives him a specific list of skills that Moses should look for in men and how they should be organized to lead among the people. Jethro takes a situation that could have ended disastrously and found a solution. He helped Moses become a better leader and helped form Israel into a nation with a government that acknowledged God as the main leader. The men selected by Moses also used their gifts that God has blessed them with to lead the newly forming Israel. They used their skills to teach the people of God’s statutes and laws. 
As Christians, we read of many empowering verses in the Bible that provide us comfort throughout difficult situations. We read of God's omnipresent and omnipotent love and that he will never leave us. We have learned that with the selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the chains of sin are broken and we are no longer slaves to sin, revealing to us that was impossible to man was made possible by God’s love for us. We, who were once in the darkness, are now brought into the light by our hope and refuge Jesus Christ to now be the light of the world and spread his message to the ends of the earth. He has taught us encouraging lessons of putting on the Armor of God throughout our battles with the forces of evil and practicing the fruits of the Spirit among our brothers and sisters. Now, it is our turn to display to others how much our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us and what He has taught us. 
Like the judges appointed by Moses, we are to use what we have been taught by God as Christians and use it with those who are not familiar with God’s love and Word. In today’s society, we face corruption, injustice, and all kinds of evil that causes darkness to spread among us. As it says in Matthew 5:14, we are the light of the world. As God has called us out of the darkness, let us shine our light to those who may find themselves in the dark and be ambassadors of justice and compassion, helping our brothers and sisters out of the dark, just as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are to show others how God's people are saved, loved, and cared for. Let us enlighten others how Jesus Christ is our hope and will always save us, no matter the situation we may be stuck in. In our nation, let us lead people using the principles that God has taught us,so that they may have hope against the evils of this world and have faith that Jesus Christ will always be their guide. 
 

Prayer
Thank you Lord Almighty for saving us from our sins and freeing us from its bonds. Helps us to use our gifts and talents you have blessed us with to spread your will throughout our communities, so more of your children turn to you and praise your holy and amazing name. 

 Thought for the Day
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9


Irene Sony Joseph 
Epiphany Marthoma Church NY 

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