June 5

Is There a Difference?

But among all the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at man or beast.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. — Exod 11:7 BSB

Can God control even the barking of dogs? Yes, He can. He can keep an Egyptian dog from harming one of Israel’s lambs. If God can silence the dogs, whether literal or figurative, including the vicious “dogs” among men and even the great dog at hell’s gate, then we can go forward without fear.

Even if He allows the dogs to bark, He can prevent them from biting. They may make a lot of noise, but they can’t do us any real harm. Still, how sweet it is when all is quiet! How wonderful to move among enemies and see that God has made them live in peace with us. Like Daniel in the lions' den, we are unharmed even in the presence of destroyers.

Oh, that this promise of the Lord to Israel would be true for me today! If the “dog” is bothering me, I will tell the Lord about it. Lord, he won’t listen to my words, but if You speak, he will be silenced. Give me peace, O my God, and let me see so clearly that this peace is from You, that I may know the difference Your grace has made in my life compared to the ungodly!