The Power of His Kingdom
As Pharaoh and all of his officials watched, Aaron raised his staff and struck the water of the Nile. Suddenly, the whole river turned to blood! The fish in the river died, and the water became so foul that the Egyptians couldn’t drink it. There was blood everywhere throughout the land of Egypt.
Exodus 7:20b-21 (NLT)
The plagues in Exodus are epic—rivers turned to blood, swarms of frogs and insects, total darkness, and even fire from the sky. It’s like something out of a movie. But have you ever thought about what they really meant? God doesn’t act randomly; everything He does is intentional. The plagues weren’t just a dramatic display of His power and justice—they revealed who He is and how we are called to live as His freed and empowered people.
Take, for example, the first of the plagues: the Nile River turning into blood. To the Egyptian people of that day, the Nile was absolutely essential. It wasn’t just the source of their crops and commerce—it also represented the power of their gods. The Nile River was the center of Egypt’s power, future and identity. In other words, it was their lifeblood—the most central and essential thing about them.
When God struck Egypt’s most important source, He was making a powerful statement: the God of Israel is supreme over all things—over nature, over the future and over every so-called god of the land. Over everything. The Israelites had been enslaved to the standards and rules of another kingdom, one ruled by enemies of God. But in His power and grace, the Lord demonstrated through this first plague that while others may claim power, there is no one higher, stronger or more present than the Lord God Almighty. The Nile River turning to blood was, for the Egyptians, an indictment of their folly. But for Israel, it was a declaration that God was bringing them into a greater Kingdom.
For us today, this story isn’t just for the entertainment of children—it teaches us a profound truth: there is nothing in creation—no money, success, comfort, trial, enemy or power—that can compare to Him. Everything on this earth is subject to His power and His Kingdom. The power of our enemies cannot stand when compared to the power of our God.
APPLICATION: Even the Nile, Egypt’s lifeblood, was powerless before God. What do I rely on that cannot truly sustain me? How can I let God’s presence fill that space today?
PRAYER: Lord, help me to release anything I’ve placed above You. Teach me to trust Your power and live in the freedom of Your Kingdom. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?