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We gather here today with open hearts and minds To grow in faith and truth in every

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Every word we find the pages of the word alive and full of grace Inspiring faith with him as we seek his face Bible place

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Bible bites In starting faith one bite at a time With every first we find our way

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To live our lives in his light and shine.

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Welcome to Bible Bites, the podcast where we work to inspire faith one bite at a time.

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I'm your host, Randy Black.

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Throughout Scripture, God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to fulfill his purposes

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Miriam, the sister of Moses, is a shining example of courage, wisdom, and faith in action.

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As a young girl she took on a critical role in safeguarding her baby brother's life during a time when Pharaoh

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had ordered the death of all Hebrew baby boys.

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Her vigilance, quick thinking, and boldness not only preserved Moses's life,

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But also positioned him to grow up in Pharaoh's household, paving the way for God's greater plan of deliverance for Israel

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In studying Miriam's actions, we can learn how God calls us to step up in moments of danger, uncertainty, and fear, and how our courage can have ripple effects for generations.

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Before we dive into the scripture, let's open up with a word of prayer.

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Heavenly Father, we thank you for the examples of courage you have given us in your word.

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Today, as we study Miriam's bravery and her role in protecting Moses, open our hearts to understand how you can use our faith and actions to accomplish your purposes.

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Help us to recognize the moments when you call us to act boldly for your glory and the good of others.

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Strengthen our courage, guide our words, and give us wisdom in times of challenge.

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In the name of your son Jesus we pray.

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Amen.

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The account in Exodus chapter 1, verses 1 through 10 begins

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with a Levite couple who, upon the birth of their son, recognized something special about him and hid him for three months.

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This decision was an act of courage and faith, considering that Pharaoh's decree was that all Hebrew boys were to be killed.

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When hiding the child was no longer possible, his mother placed him in a waterproof basket among the reeds of the Nile, entrusting his life to God's providence

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Miriam, the child's sister, stationed herself at a distance to see what would happen.

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This was not passive observation.

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She was on alert, ready to respond

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When Pharaoh's daughter came to bathe and discovered the basket, she was moved with compassion upon finding the crying infant and recognizing him as a Hebrew child

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Miriam seized this moment of opportunity and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby.

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A bold move for a young girl addressing royalty.

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Pharaoh's daughter agreed, and Miriam brought the child's own mother, who was then paid to care for him

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In an extraordinary turn, the very forces that salt the child's destruction became the means of his protection and provision

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Later, when the boy grew, he was brought back to Pharaoh's daughter, who named him Moses, saying, I drew him out of the water.

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Throughout these events, God's sovereign hand is evident.

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The courage of Moses' family, the vigilance of Miriam

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And the compassion of an Egyptian princess all worked together to preserve the life of the one God had chosen to deliver Israel

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Miriam's readiness to step forward at the right moment shows that even in dangerous and uncertain situations, God can work through those who remain watchful and faithful.

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We have some key takeaways from our scripture today.

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Our first is that God can use anyone no matter their age or their position.

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Miriam was likely just a young girl when she stepped into this critical role, yet God entrusted her with protecting his chosen deliverer.

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This teaches us that God's call and power are not limited by her age, experience, or social standing.

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Often we underestimate what God can do through us because we feel too young, too inexperienced, or too ordinary.

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But scripture repeatedly shows that God delights in using willing hearts regardless of worldly qualifications.

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When we say yes in faith, God can multiply our efforts and place us at the center of His divine plan.

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Our next takeaway is that courage requires action in the face of risk.

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Miriam's courage was not passive.

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It required her to approach Pharaoh's daughter, a member of the ruling class, with a bold proposal.

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Speaking up could have put her in danger or brought harsh consequences

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Yet she acted decisively for the sake of her brother's life.

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Similarly, Christian courage often calls us to take risks, whether it be standing up for truth.

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offering help to those in need or speaking out against injustice.

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True courage is rooted in the faith

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and the belief that God is with us even when the path is uncertain or threatening

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Our next takeaway is that God's providence works through human obedience.

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While God is sovereign over all, he often chooses to accomplish his purposes through the faithful actions of people.

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Miriam's obedience and watching over Moses and suggesting his mother as a nurse was a key part of God's provincial plan.

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This reminds us that our faithfulness matters.

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Even the seemingly small acts of obedience are able to be a part of God's greater work.

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We are invited to partner with God by responding to the needs around us and trusting that He will bring about His purposes through our obedience

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Our next takeaway is that family and community support are vital.

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Merriam's role illustrates the importance of family and community in God's plan.

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Her willingness to protect and advocate for her brother demonstrates how we are called to care for one another, especially the vulnerable

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The Christian life is not meant to be walked alone.

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Scripture calls us to bear one another's burdens and support each other in love.

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When we watch over and care for one another, we participate in God's redemptive work in practical and meaningful ways

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And our last takeaway this week is that God can turn threatening situations into opportunities for his glory.

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The situation that seemed so dangerous, Pharaoh's decree to kill the Hebrew boys, became the very circumstance through which God positioned Moses to lead Israel's deliverance

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What the enemy intended for harm, God turned for good.

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This is a powerful reminder that no matter how dire our circumstances appear,

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God is able to redeem and transform them for his specific purposes.

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As believers, we can trust in God's ability to bring beauty out of brokenness.

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and victory out of our adversity when we walk with him in faith

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Miriam's courage reminds us that God is not looking for perfect people.

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He's looking for people who are simply willing.

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Too often, we hesitate to act because we feel unqualified or fear the potential consequences.

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Yet

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Miriam's example shows that when our hearts are aligned with God's purposes, he can multiply our small acts of obedience into lasting impact.

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Her story also challenges us to be watchful.

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Miriam didn't wander away after placing Moses in the basket.

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She stayed nearby, alert to what was happening.

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This kind of spiritual watchfulness is essential for believers today.

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It means staying engaged in prayer, seeking God's direction, and being ready to respond when he opens a door for action.

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We also see in this account a beautiful picture of God's providence.

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The sequence of events Pharaoh's daughter finding the basket, Miriam's timely suggestion, and Moses' own mother being paid to nurse him, was no coincidence.

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It's it was a reminder that God's plans are never hindered by human opposition.

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Finally, Miriam's story urges us to recognize the value of courage that serves others

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Courage in the Christian life is is not about self-promotion or reckless boldness, but about stepping forward to protect, to serve, and to uplift others in obedience to God.

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Before we preview next week's episode, let's close out our study with a word of prayer.

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Lord God, we thank you for the example of Miriam, whose courage and wisdom played a key role in your plan for Moses and Israel's deliverance

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Help us to remember that you can use anyone, no matter our age, our status, or abilities, when we are willing to obey.

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Give us the courage to speak up for truth, the faith to trust in your providence, and the love to serve others selflessly

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May we be watchful and ready to act when you call us, knowing that even the smallest steps of obedience can have eternal significance

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In the name of your son Jesus, we pray.

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Amen.

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On our next episode of Bible Bites, we're going to look at Numbers chapter 12, verses 1 through 15

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And this is the point when Miriam's pride led her to challenge Moses, and God punished her with leprosy to demonstrate the seriousness of opposing his chosen leader

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And we'll examine what that means today for Christians.

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So join us on the next episode of Bible Bites, the podcast where we work to inspire faith.

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One bite at a time.

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Bible bites.

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Bible bites.

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Inspiring fake one bite at a time.

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Every verse we find our way To live our lives in his life and shine

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Bubble bites, bubble bites, inspiring faith one bite at a time