A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day March 12, 2019
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1)
“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.’ And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people. Then Moses said, ‘Thus says the Lord: “About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals'” (Exodus 11:1-5).
Basically, here’s what happened. God said to Moses, “I want you to have all the men and all the women go to their neighbors and borrow all the articles of silver and of gold that they have.” Because Moses had favor with the people who worked for Pharaoh and the people of Egypt, the people of Israel could go out and get whatever they wanted.
Favor in your life is an important thing. Too often Christians have the idea of “in your face, buddy” and push their Christianity in such a way that they become obnoxious and appear arrogant. Because of this, they shut themselves off from having any influence on the world whatsoever. Moses had character. Because of his character, his reliability, and the honesty of his word, he had favor with the servants of Pharaoh and the people of Egypt. When it came time to tap into that favor to get what God told him to get, they didn’t write him off as a lunatic. So, don’t be deceived. The devil would like nothing more than for you to be considered a lunatic.
Yes, we are peculiar. The people of Egypt probably thought Moses was peculiar because of some of the things he did. You may seem peculiar in the eyes of the world, but still have character and favor. Never ever throw away your character. It is one of your best witnessing tools.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:12-14)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
