Exodus 7:14-9:35

The first 7 plagues are released on Egypt: blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock, boils, and hail.

The part of the story that always fascinated me was that there were some plagues that the court magicians were able to duplicate.  The Pharaohs magicians were able to turn water into blood and flood a space with frogs.  However, the magicians were not able to duplicate all of God’s miracles.  The court magicians failed with the gnats and recognized that this was indeed the work of God.  Once God got to the boils, the magicians were powerless as they themselves were covered with boils.

My question has always been, were the magicians able to perform these miracles through trickery or was there actual supernatural stuff going on here?  If this is supernatural what does it say about the battle between God and the forces opposed to God.  I believe there are evil forces at work in this world that I do not want to mess with unless I am sure that God is with me.  Avoid magic; rely on God.

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A Prayer

Faithful God,

O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

We are trav’lers on a journey,
Fellow pilgrims on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
Speak the peace you long to hear.

Sister, let me be your servant,
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.
Brother, let me be your servant,
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.

I will weep when you are weeping,
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow,
Till we’ve seen this journey thro’.
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Thank you God, Amen.

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