Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Exodus 8:16-32 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people live, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I the Lord am in this land.’ Exodus 8:22

“Here’s another fine mess you’ve got me into” you can almost hear Moses saying, playing with his ringlets. But unlike Hardy speaking to Laurel, Moses would be sharing the comment with God, not his side-kick Aaron.

He’s not sure what God’s got up His sleeve next, nor how Pharaoh is going to respond, but in these verses we have reached a new point of no return. The magicians are out of the game, they can’t match the gnats or the flies—they are in awe, and they let Pharaoh know—not to mention the anti-plague force-field around Goshen. And as Moses is setting off, having made a much better bargain with Pharaoh, he must be smiling to himself, wondering how long it will be this time before Pharaoh snaps again, and back-tracks.

But hang on—did he hear that correctly? Did Pharaoh just ask Moses to pray for him?As my little grandson found himself saying, starting to master the F1 model racing track we had just set up, with the little car he was controlling edging into the lead, “You’ve got this Finn!” So I can hear Moses, mature in his leadership, recognising there is only going to be one outcome in this show of strength, and begin to realise the pressure is not on him, “We’ve got this…”

Moses cared, Moses prayed, Moses watched and listened, Moses learned to trust. Maybe reluctantly, maybe resignedly, and maybe with humour, he became comfortable with God, even in, or perhaps because of, rocky on-going circumstances.

Jesus calls us into the adventure of following, not passively, but being agents of change—personally, locally, nationally, globally.

The secret of being effective? God gave Micah a good summary—act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

This is what we’ve been given, such grace, let’s respond with joy, “we got this!”

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, I embrace your call upon my life. You got this, I am open to receive see and travel. Amen.

The Revd Stefan Dnistrianskyj, Vicar of St James the Great, Wrightington with Heskin