God Takes Care of Me (First Steps Devotions) (4 page)

God told Moses, “Go to the King! I am sending you to lead my
people out of his country.”

So Moses went to speak to Pharaoh: “The LORD God says ‘Let
my people go!’“

But Pharaoh did not believe Moses. So God proved to Pharaoh
that he should let the Israelites go. Many things happened as signs from God.
Water became blood. Cattle died. Darkness covered the earth. Finally, after ten
signs, Pharaoh believed Moses. He let the people of Israel go.

God did not forget the Israelites. He answered their
prayers. They finally left Egypt.

Has God ever answered a prayer after you prayed it for a
long time?

Did you feel like giving up on God?

Why or why not?

Dear God, I know You always hear me when I pray. Help me to
remember that. Help me always to have faith in You.

When was the last time you had a problem you could not
solve?

What was the problem? What did you do about it?

God’s people, the Israelites, were slaves in Egypt. God sent
Moses to convince Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to set the Israelites free.

Then Pharaoh changed his mind. He and other Egyptians did
not want all their slaves to leave. So they chased after them. Soon the
Israelites were trapped. The Red Sea was in front of them. And the Egyptians
were behind them. They were scared.

“We had rather be slaves in Egypt than die in this desert!”
they said to Moses. “Don’t be afraid!” Moses said. “Be brave, and you will see
the LORD save you today.”

Moses held up his rod. The Red Sea divided. The Israelites
walked right through the middle of the sea and away from the Egyptians! God had
taken care of them again.

Describe a time God solved a problem for you.

Did you thank God?

Dear God, I know nothing is too hard for You. Help me always
to trust You. Thank You for watching over me and taking care of all my
problems.

Can you think of a time when things went from bad to worse?

What happened?

How did you feel about it? What did you do?

God took good care of the Israelites. They could count on
God to watch over them. He freed them from slavery in Egypt. And He led them
safely through the Red Sea.

Then they had problems again. There was no water in the
wilderness. They looked and looked. But there was nothing to drink. Soon the
people of Israel came to Marah. There was water in Marah. But the water was too
bitter to drink.

The people became upset. “What are we going to drink?” they
complained to Moses.

God showed Moses a tree. Moses threw the tree in the water.
The water became good to drink.

Next the people of Israel came to Elim. In Elim there were
12 wells of water and 70 palm trees. The Israelites had plenty to drink! They
set up camp by the water. God took care of them. All they needed to do was
follow Him.

Can you think of a time you were happier after a problem
than before it?

Why?

What happened?

Dear God, sometimes I go through hard times and problems.
But I know You are still watching over me. Thank You for using problems to help
me. Help me always to trust You.

Do you ever complain about things?

Does it work?

Do people like to hear you complain?

God had prepared a special land for the Israelites. But they
were in the wilderness. It had been more than a month since they left Egypt.

The people were hungry. So they complained again. “You have
brought us out here into this desert, where we are going to starve,” they said
to Moses. “The LORD has heard your complaints,” Moses told the people. “You
will know it is the LORD when he gives you meat each evening and more than
enough bread each morning.”

The next morning thin flakes were on the ground. “What is
it?” the people asked Moses. “This is the bread that the LORD has given you to
eat,” Moses said. And he told them to gather what they needed.

The people collected all the bread they could. No one was
hungry. God had taken care of them again, just as He promised.

Have you ever complained to God?

Why? Why not?

What did you say?

Did He answer you?

Dear God, I know You know what I am going through. Sometimes
I do not like what is happening to me. I do not want to be a complainer. Help
me to trust You more.

Did you ever want to see something or someone very much?

What or who was it?

How did you feel when you saw that thing or person? Why?

God promised Abraham that his great-grandchildren would live
in a special land. Moses would lead the people of Israel to the land.

The Israelites had spent many years traveling in the
wilderness. It was time to enter the land. But Moses would not lead them into
the land. Joshua would do that.

Before Moses died, God took him to the top of a high
mountain. Moses saw the Promised Land. He saw the cities and he saw the seas.
He saw the plains and he saw the mountains.

“This is me land I was talking about when I solemnly
promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” God said to Moses. “I have let you see
it.”

Then Moses could die. God had taken good care of him. He
even let him see the Promised Land.

When was the last time God gave you something you really
wanted?

What was it?

Why do you think God gave it to you?

Dear God, I do not always thank You for the little things
You give me. Thank You for making me happy. Thank You for things that bring joy
into my life.

When was the last time you hid from someone? Why?

What would have happened if the person had found you?

Joshua was the new leader of the people of Israel. It was
almost time for the Israelites to go into their new homeland. The first city in
their path was Jericho. Jericho had a big wall around it.

Joshua sent two spies to look at the land. They came to the
house of Rahab. She lived in Jericho. The king of Jericho found out that the
spies were with Rahab.

The king’s soldiers said to Rahab, “Let us have the men who
are staying at your house. They are spies.” But Rahab had hidden the spies on
the roof of her house. “They left about sunset. I don’t know where they were
going, but if you hurry, maybe you can catch them,” she said to the soldiers.

The two Israelites were safe. God would give them their new
land.

Describe a time God kept you safe.

What happened?

How did God protect you?

Dear God, I know You watch over me. Thank You for keeping me
safe.