April 23, 2026 WEST

Today's reading takes us through a powerful journey from Exodus 7, where we witness Moses and Aaron standing before Pharaoh with God's command to let His people go. What strikes us immediately is how God uses us right where we are—Moses with his stuttering, Aaron as his mouthpiece—reminding us that obedience doesn't require perfection, just availability. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart wasn't just about one man's stubbornness; it was about God multiplying His signs and wonders so that an entire nation would know He is Lord. This challenges us to reconsider our own 'Pharaohs'—those seemingly impossible situations where we're called to keep showing up, keep obeying, because God's plan extends beyond what we can see. The blood turning the Nile speaks prophetically of both judgment and covenant, reminding us that the same blood that brings death to Egypt's false gods brings life and redemption to God's children. We're confronted with questions about our own obedience: Do we trust God enough to use what's in our hands, even when the outcome seems impossible? Are we willing to be vessels through which God reveals Himself to unbelievers? This passage isn't just ancient history—it's a mirror reflecting our own journey of faith, calling us to step forward in obedience even when we're shaking on the inside.