Today's Lectionary TextExodus 6:2-9God also spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name ‘The Lord’ I did not make myself known to them. I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they resided as aliens. I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians have enslaved, and I have remembered my covenant. Say therefore to the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.” Moses told this to the Israelites, but they would not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and their cruel slavery.  Today's Devotional
The Exodus story is one of courage and liberation, as Moses boldly proclaims, “Let my people go.” But in Exodus 6, the Israelites have less confidence went Moses tells them God will be with them. They refuse to listen to Moses’ testimony because of their “broken spirit.”
What I hear is the Israelites have lost all hope; they’re tired and are probably thinking God’s promise of a covenant is too good to be true. I can relate to the Israelites: there are times when my spirit feels broken. When countries continue to attack their neighbors with wars and violence. When policies are brought forward to harm marginalized groups. When natural disasters harm communities and leaders refuse to address climate justice. When the division and divisiveness of our world makes it seem like peacemaking is just wishful thinking. All of this breaks my spirit, and it can be hard in those challenging moments to hold on to hope. The Israelites did not know what would happen, but I know their future holds liberation and change. Their future includes freedom and new life. This covenant God promises is rooted in steadfast, unconditional love, which seeks the best for all people and this love is constantly at work. There are days where our spirits are broken, but there are also days where God’s covenant is revealed. In the kind words from a friend, the communities who show up to make their voices heard, the small movements in working for justice, the times where we put our differences aside for a few moments to be in community. If today your spirit feels broken, allow for God’s steadfast love to shine through providing liberation, rest, and hope. Prayer for ReflectionRedeeming God, just as you made a covenant with Moses and his people, you make a covenant with us. Your steadfast love never wavers, you are consistent in building a kin-dom of love. Mend our broken spirits and fill our hearts with your compassion. Together we pray. Amen.
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