"Showing my power in you..."

"For the scripture says to Pharaoh, 'I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.'"

(Romans 9:17)

The EXODUS is one of the most significant events in all of Israel's history. Having been in captivity for hundreds of years, the Hebrew people were led into freedom through Moses' response to God's call on his life. The big obstacle, of course, was Pharaoh... the ruler of Egypt. He was "the man," and didn't take too kindly to Moses' assertion that there was One more powerful than he.

The back-and-forth between God and Pharaoh (via Moses) is quite compelling. In the end, he finally let the Hebrew people go (but then changed his mind). Nevertheless, God's purposes were accomplished. In Romans 9, Paul writes about that scenario by stating (from God's perspective to Pharaoh), "I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."

What a statement. That God can use people in ANY status of life... whether they acknowledge God's authority in their lives or not.

When I first read this passage in Romans, I thought it would be something I'd like to have said about me. That God's power would be shown in my life. But in the context of the statement (Pharaoh), it's dealing with someone who was NOT in line with God's vision and plan. So... I'd rather not be used that way. I'd rather be content with following God's will for my life... so that others can come to know God through my willing participation!