Welcome to
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church

Sunday, 6th July 2025

Rev Daniel Xi An Poon

In Exodus 7, we encounter one of the most jarring signs God performed in Egypt. At His command, Moses and Aaron strike the Nile River, transforming its waters into blood. As a result, the fish die, the river reeks, and its water becomes undrinkable. This wasn’t simply a show of divine power or an act of judgment—it was a direct challenge to the deepest assumptions and dependencies of the Egyptians. The Nile, long held as sacred, symbolized life, provision, and stability. They revered the river god Hapi and believed the Nile governed order and abundance.

But God was making a statement: He alone is the true source of life and power—not idols, not nature, not Pharaoh.

Even for the Israelites, who were still enslaved, God’s concern extended beyond changing their external circumstances. He was after transformation within their hearts.

Just as Egypt had its Nile, today we too may harbor our own “Nile” in the heart—unshakable beliefs, things we depend on for identity, security, and meaning. God’s intent is not simply to disrupt; it is to set us free from unstable foundations so we can truly worship Him.

Point 1: God Strikes the Wrong Foundations in Our Hearts

“Then Aaron lifted the rod and struck the waters of the river…in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants.” — Exodus 7:20

God’s choice to strike the Nile was symbolic. He did not target military power or political authority. Instead, He targeted what Egypt held most dear: their sacred source of life. This miracle wasn’t just a physical disruption; it was a confrontation of spiritual dependence.

The message was clear: what you trust most deeply may not be trustworthy at all.

In our lives, we often lean on seemingly logical foundations—family, work, relationships, resources, or even success in ministry. We feel secure when these areas flourish. But when they wobble, we’re thrown into panic.

God’s strike, though painful, is rooted in love. He desires to shake us free from anything that might promise stability but isn’t rooted in Him. He wants us to build on Him alone—the only unshakable foundation.

Point 2: God Uses the Strike to Begin Real Deliverance

“The fish in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; the Egyptians will loathe to drink its water.” — Exodus 7:18

Not only did the Nile lose its ability to give life—it became a source of disgust. The Egyptians came to loathe what they once revered.

This wasn’t random. It reflected a spiritual truth: true repentance begins when we stop loving what God never intended for us.

Sometimes, God allows what we once leaned on—relationships, careers, coping mechanisms, even blessings—to lose their sweetness. What once brought joy may suddenly bring frustration, confusion, or despair.

This isn’t chaos—it’s deliverance in progress.

Through disillusionment, God invites us to let go. To admit that we were holding on to something that was never meant to carry our hearts. Only when we’re willing to release and repent can we embrace the freedom God offers.

God doesn’t do this to be harsh. He does it so we stop loving illusions, and start loving Him.

Point 3: God Wants Us to Know Him as the True Source

“The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand…and bring out the Israelites from among them.” — Exodus 7:5

At the heart of this chapter is one divine purpose: relationship. God isn’t trying to flex His authority. His goal is that people—Egyptians and Israelites alike—would recognize Him as Lord.

Deliverance, in God’s design, is not about simply escaping hardship. It’s about returning to Him as the center of life.

We seek breakthroughs, healing, provision—all good things. God delights in giving them. But more than anything, He desires that we would know Him—His character, His faithfulness, His love.

This is why He allows the shaking: to remind us where our true source lies. When everything else is unstable, God stands firm. He is our refuge, our anchor, our provision.

Just like Egypt and Israel in Exodus 7, we each have our own Nile—a thing, person, or belief we trust too deeply. God’s message is not condemnation—it’s invitation.

Through shaking, He’s calling us to examine what we depend on. Through disruption, He’s urging us to repent. Through loss, He’s preparing our hearts to receive Him fully.

Freedom is not just release from bondage—it is restoration of worship.

True deliverance doesn’t stop at escape—it continues until we know that He is the Lord.