—S— Ex 6.9 // So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage. // Exodus 6:9 NASB95

—O— The Lord has just reiterated his promises to deliver the people from bondage. He has told them that he has revealed himself to them in ways that not even Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob knew him. The enslaved Israelites know their God's name. But their circumstances and emotional state made it impossible to hear.

Ex 6.9 is a perfect illustration that our circumstances lie to us, our feelings are fickle, and our understanding lacks. It was as if Moses was speaking to them in an unintelligible language. They couldn't hear. They couldn't listen. They were despairing.

—A— I will not listen to the voice of despair. I will never accept the lie of hopelessness. I will remember that circumstances, feelings, and our limited understanding are untrustworthy indicators of God's character. I will look to God's Word and listen to his Spirit and watch the example of Jesus as the only true indicators of who God is and how much he loves us.

—P— May all these statement be true of me by your power and grace. XP Amen.