They hide out in the most inconvenient of places. They are sticky, jumpy when startled and I'm pretty sure they are blind, too. The science teacher at my school (who has rescued me from small frogs in my classroom several times) tells me that they really are harmless and I shouldn't be so afraid of them. Whatever. I keep a broom in my classroom just for the purpose of shooting these unwanted creatures out the door like a hockey player sends a puck down the ice.
So this is why I have always found the account of Pharaoh, the children of Israel, and the plagues so creepy. One of the plagues sent upon Pharaoh and all of Egypt was a plague of frogs. We read about it in Exodus 8:1-14. God warned Pharaoh that if he didn't release God's people, the country would swarm with frogs. This is how The Message reads (verses 1-4):
"God said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘God’s Message: Release my people so they can worship me. If you refuse to release them, I’m warning you, I’ll hit the whole country with frogs. The Nile will swarm with frogs—they’ll come up into your houses, into your bedrooms and into your beds, into your servants’ quarters, among the people, into your ovens and pots and pans. They’ll be all over you, all over everyone—frogs everywhere, on and in everything!’”"
Eww. You know I love to cook, so the thought of frogs in my kitchen just makes me squirm! (Let's not even think about frogs in the bed.) Well, Pharaoh is hard-headed and Egypt is overcome with frogs. Finally, Pharaoh relents and asks Moses to ask God to remove the frogs. Moses agrees and asks when Pharaoh would like him to pray (verses 8-10):
"Pharaoh called in Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to God to rid us of these frogs. I’ll release the people so that they can make their sacrifices and worship God.”
Moses said to Pharaoh, “Certainly. Set the time. When do you want the frogs out of here, away from your servants and people and out of your houses? You’ll be rid of frogs except for those in the Nile.”
“Make it tomorrow.”
What????
"Moses said, “Tomorrow it is—so you’ll realize that there is no God like our God. The frogs will be gone. You and your houses and your servants and your people, free of frogs. The only frogs left will be the ones in the Nile.” (verse 11)
Pharaoh decided to spend one more night with those frogs in his house...his kitchen...his bedroom. Listen, if I had a plague of anything in my house, and had the promise that I could be rid of it, you can bet that my answer would be, "NOW!" So, why don't I?
Let me explain.
Last night at a women's event, I heard a message from Christine Caine, well known Australian preacher and all-around amazing woman of God. She spoke from this passage and exhorted us to get rid of the frogs we are still living with as daughters of God. Frogs like shame...guilt...fear...doubt...insecurity...the list goes on. We DON'T HAVE to live one more night with the frogs! We can leave them at the foot of the Cross and be free.
Yes, it is that simple. I realize that I don't know what you've done and what you've been through, and you don't know what I've done and what I've been through. But that doesn't matter. Your history doesn't have to determine your destiny - God is the author of your story, and He's still writing! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His love is unfailing. His grace is sufficient. His forgiveness is freely offered. Nothing I have done or been through, or that you have done or been through, none of that changes who God is. He is our Father who longs for us to see ourselves through the rose-colored glasses of the blood of Jesus, His Son (thank you Christine for that visual). We must build our lives on the truth of God's Word, not the tainted pieces of our pasts.
So, in the words of Christine Caine, "When the world looks at you, do they see frogs or freedom?" Don't waste another moment like Pharaoh did! Pray that frog out of your house - out of your life - today.
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