SELAH
Selah is a word used in the Old Testament that means to have an intentional and deliberate pause. In the Psalms, Selah was used when the reader or audience was invited to pause and reflect on what they had just sung. We have taken the word selah and used it as an acronym to help prepare our hearts as we approach God each day. Take some time to slowly walk through SELAH—Stop, Exhale, Lean-in, Ask, and Hear.
Stop
Before you read, take some time to stop and limit your distractions. Start by turning your phone to Do Not Disturb so you won’t receive notifications. Take some time to close your eyes and begin to prepare your heart for the transformation God wants to lead you in today.
Exhale
With your eyes closed, take several slow deep breaths. As you breathe in, invite God into your time with Him today and as you breathe out, exhale your stress, anxieties, worries, distractions, and sins. Make your breathing all about receiving Him and removing yourself.
Lean-In
As you continue to breathe, take a posture leaning forward. Today you want to lean in to what God wants to teach you and how He might want to transform you. As you lean forward, tell God that you are ready for any work He might want to do in or through you.
Ask
Now with your eyes closed, breathing slowly and leaned forward, ask God to transform you today. Your goal should be to live and love more like Jesus than you did yesterday. You need God’s help for this to be possible. He loves to help His children, but He is waiting for you to ask.
Hear
Now, stop & listen. Don’t continue talking, but give yourself time to hear from Him. He will speak to you today through worship, His Word, and the devotional you’re about to read. He is ready to speak. Are you ready to hear from Him?
Why?
Note
Free Will vs. Predestination is a big discussion, and it can significantly change the way we read the story of Moses. Remember, you do not have to know all the answers to the big questions to put your faith and trust in Jesus. But before we get started, let’s define what exactly we’re talking about. When we’re saying “free will” we are talking about a theological idea that states that human beings have the freedom to choose whatever they want apart from God's control. Predestination on the other hand, would argue that humans don’t have free will but instead God determines whatever choices they make.
Reflect
Throughout the story of Exodus, some might say that God seems harsh and violent toward Pharaoh and we can’t help but ask the question, “Wasn’t God powerful enough to change Pharaoh’s heart, especially if He had heard the cries and groans of the Hebrew people who were enslaved in Egypt for so long?” The answer to that question is simple: yes, God was powerful enough to change Pharaoh’s heart, just like He was powerful enough to stop Eve from eating the forbidden fruit in Genesis (see Genesis chapter 3). But in both instances, God didn’t choose to use His power to force a choice to be made. So the question we should be asking is not “Is He powerful enough?” but “Why didn’t God soften Pharaoh’s heart?” We know He could do it, so why didn’t He just do it? Instead, it seems like He did the opposite and hardened Pharaoh's heart more.
Why do you think God didn’t just make everyone do what they should in this situation? Why did He let Pharaoh turn down His demand to set the Israelites free—a decision that would lead to plagues, pain, and death?
Respond
After you've read the passage today grab a journal or open your notes. Take some time to reflect on today’s reading. Use the SOAP acronym to help you engage. (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer).
- Scripture - What did you read?,
- Observation - What did you learn?
- Application - What will you do?
- Prayer - Write out a prayer talking to God like a friend.
Additional Reading Suggestions:
Read Romans 8:28-30.
Scripture Reading
Exodus 6:1-8 NLT
Then the LORD told Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave his land!” And God said to Moses, “I am Yahweh—‘the LORD.’ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them. And I reaffirmed my covenant with them. Under its terms, I promised to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living as foreigners. You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. And I am well aware of my covenant with them. “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the LORD!’”
