Scripture
Now the LORD had said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely. Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” (The LORD made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.) Exodus 11:1-3

Observation
The plagues were designed to get Pharoah’s attention, but they were important for Moses too. Moses arrived on the pages of the Bible as a broken down man. The grand prince of Egypt was doing what Egyptians despised: herding sheep.  God called him and Moses offered his brother. The fight had bled out of Moses.

But the ordeal of 10 trips to the palace and ten challenges to the greatest power on earth steadily increased Moses’ leadership strength. The Moses of Plague Ten was a very different man from the man at the burning bush. Moses had seen the fire, but it was not until he had passed through the fire that he was able to lead God’s people.

God lets leaders pass through ordeals not just to bring an answer but to develop them. In the midst of the plagues that is a comforting thought.

Application
There is more leader in me than I know of and that is why God demands more and more of me. I need to constantly pray the prayer, “Lord let me come out of this ordeal a better person.” We must not waste our troubles. These are what make us, with God’s help, better people.

Prayer
Father, today let the events of life today reveal in me more of the leader you have made me to be. Amen.