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Exodus 6:7

⁷I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

The Israelites were discouraged because Moses first encounter with Pharaoh resulted in more hardship for them. God spoke to Moses again and told him to tell them the verse for today. What a promise it is! To be Almighty God's people is the greatest honor a nation could have. They would have divine protection, provision, and most of all revelation (Romans 9:4-5).

Moses told them, but they could not receive God's words "because of their broken spirit" (Exodus 6:9). God did not hold it against them. He knows when we are overwhelmed with the burdens of this life. That does not mean that He will leave us where we are. God commanded Moses to go back to Pharaoh and order His people's release. God renewed His promise to bring them out with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. They thought the battle was over but it was just beginning.

Depictions of the pharaohs on stone reliefs often show them with an outstretched arm holding a whip or a rod. These were meant to show the might of the pharaoh. God's outstretched arm makes Pharaoh's look like a dry twig. But still the people could not hear because of their broken spirit.

When we are in the middle of life's difficulties, we need to remember that God does not give up on us. He has the power to redeem us even if we cannot hear or believe. Nothing is too hard for Him. Remember your own salvation! He has made you His own and no earthly power, or for that matter no spiritual power either, can stop His redeeming work in your life.

Consider: Are you praying for people who cannot hear because of their broken spirit or slavery to sin? It is not impossible for God to redeem them. God is at work with His mighty outstretched arm. They will see His power and have clear choices.