Today I read Exodus 14 and this is what I learned:
Chapter 14 is all about God delivering the Israelites out of Egypt and parting the red sea so they could get to the promise land.
The Lord delivered the Israelites out of Egypt by protecting them from the 8 plagues and the passover. God is showing time and time again that He is good and He will finish what He started. He does not leave us alone with no help, but rather he is our redemptive savior. He offers us grace and forgiveness when we doubt him. He brings perfect peace and rids us from our fear when we call upon His name.
At the beginning of Exodus 14, God asks Moses to tell the people to turn around and camp in the wilderness. He does this so Pharoah will think they are trapped and God cannot save them. But, at the end God says HE will have His glory. He sometimes allows us to go through really difficult times so he can lead us through a process of sanctification.
God goes on to harden the heart of Pharoah, so he starts coming after the Israelites. The Israelites are immediately overwhelmed with fear and doubt God's plan and protection over them. When Pharoah gets close to approaching the Israelites, they say "for it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."
How often do I do this in my own life? I sometimes believe life would be so much easier if I gave into the lifestyle and culture of this world. I would be more accepted and understood. I could relate more in conversations as well as get the personal glory of having boys, accomplishments and worldy possessions.
But God has called me up into a greater purpose. The road is so narrow and few are able to fight, walk and finish to the end (Matthew 7:14). I will feel misunderstood and looked down upon for walking the narrow path. However, I will never be alone. Jesus is ALWAYS with me and He fights my battles. I only need to be still, release control and trust in the fact that my Creator is a bigger and better God than I can ever be.
Moses says, "fear not, stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord WILL fight for you, you need only to be silent." SO GOOD.
I do not need to fight to control and shape situations into working for my good. God does this on my behalf to teach me to stop striving and learn how to surrender.
The Lord says to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharoah and all his hosts, his chariots and his horsemen."
... God likes to show off for us. Moses stretched his hand and the sea parted.
How the chapter ends!
"Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore."
-God finishes what He starts. He always does.
-God gets His glory.
"I saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses."
I want to serve Jesus like Moses
-He knew God would deliver them.
-He points the glory to God
-He didnt serve God for the praise or approval of man.
How does this apply to my life?
Sometimes... a lot of the times, I am the Israelites when the Egyptians are approaching. I can't see the breakthrough or promises ahead. I begin to doubt God's goodness if I am not getting the outcome I desire in a specific area. BUT, I know God has always been on my side and protected me. I know he has allowed me to go through hard things for His glory and my good.
I have to always trust I am right where He wants me.
But I can work on my trust and faith in His plan. I have to remind myself he is always good even when my situation isn't. I need to keep God in the rightful place in my heart, because God wants my heart first.
Exodus 14 is so exciting to me because it is the best reminder that God is good, he loves me and He will protect me :)
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