Just Enough

"Then the LORD said to Moses,

'Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you.

Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food

as they need for that day.

I will test them in this

to see whether or not

they will follow my instructions.'"

Exodus 16:4 NLT

It was a curious way to live their lives; a way to which none of them were accustomed.  In their old existence under the heavy hand of Pharaoh, they not only had to complete the work he set before them, but these former slaves also were required to gather and prepare their own food.  If they wanted to survive, the Israelites had to work very hard to provide for themselves what they needed to live.

Now that the God of their fathers had miraculously rescued them from the bondage of slavery, the Israelites lived a life of divine provision.  God provided just enough manna for each day, a kind of wafer-like substance whose name meaning "What is it?" revealed it's mysterious qualities.  Out of faith, these people who were becoming reacquainted with God and His ways had to trust Him to give them what they needed for that day only.  They were instructed to not gather any more or less, but only what was necessary for the next few hours until the sun went down.

As the people of God in ancient times learned that the Lord is a God who requires faith from His people, I too must learn to trust Him to give me what I need for each day.  He calls me to live in a way that demonstrates a similar faith that the Israelites developed; a faith in His provision.

Unfortunately, there are many ways in which I betray my desire for more than what He gives.

Storehouses

He was a successful farmer.  The wealthy man learned the ins and outs of agriculture and became quite good at growing crops, reaping the benefits of all his labor.  As he grew in prosperity, he became more proficient, gaining even more riches.  Soon he asked himself, What should I do with all these assets?  Before long, the answer came to him:  He would save it, building a nest age so he could live a life of ease and comfort, enjoying the fruits of his labor all the days of his life.  (paraphrased from Luke 12:13-21)

Unfortunately for this prosperous man, God did not judge his decision as shrewd.  Instead of calling him wise and prudent, he called him a fool, taking his life that very night.  You see, God did not give us life so that we can build up treasures here on earth.  He did not create us and breathe life into us so we could live to please our own sinful natures.  Instead, He made you and me so that we can live in relationship with Him, as a devoted child to a loving Father.

I tend to hoard for the future, just like this foolish man.  While it's not wrong to save, it is wrong to put my faith in my bank account, investments or retirement.  It is in God who I am to trust, not in my own ability to prepare for what is to come.  When I put the resources with which God has blessed me into building up a reserve for myself, I am denying the purpose for which I am here: not to look out for myself and make sure my needs are taken care of.  Instead, I am here to serve others and love God in word and deed.  The way I deal with my money tells God everything He needs to know about the state of my heart.

If He gives me extra money, do I automatically think about the advice of financial experts who tell me about my need to build a nest egg, or do I seek God's will for how I can invest in His kingdom?  Perhaps He entrusted me with an abundance so He can use me to provide for others.

None of my decisions should be based on my needs.  Jesus clearly taught that my focus is to be on Him and His kingdom.  (Matthew 6:33)  When I make decisions based on the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life, He will give me what I need for each day.  When I make choices centered on providing fro my own necessities, I will never know the joy of seeing His provision and growing in my closeness to Him as a result.

I betray my desire for more than what God provides in the way I store up for the future.

Materialism

He had lived in all kinds of situations; with plenty, with barely enough, in prison where he didn't know from where his next meal would come, in custody where he had to rely on others, and even as a successful business man who had more than he needed.  No matter what the circumstances, though, Paul said he had learned the secret of being content.  It wasn't a formula or a get-rich scheme.  What he learned is that contentment did not come from the stuff that he owned.  Instead, he found out it came from knowing Christ and Him becoming more important than anything else.  (Philippians 4:11-13)

If Jesus Christ is my treasure, nothing else really matters.  Unfortunately, it is all too easy for me to lose sight of this truth and fall into the pattern of this world where the accumulation of stuff is what makes me happy and at ease.  I begin to get caught up in the quest for bigger, better and more advanced stuff.  What I have ceases to satisfy and I find myself always looking for what is new.

Instead of growing closer in my relationship with my Father who loves me, I set my sights on the new device I think I can't live without.  In the place of seeking to know God more, I look for ways to improve my home theater system.  While I could be spending my time learning of God's amazing character and qualities, I instead spend my time researching the latest cars and deciding which model I want and making a list of the features I'll choose.  Then I devise a scheme to buy it as soon as possible, replacing the old car which works perfectly fine but I've convinced myself is no longer suitable for my needs.

I betray my desire for more than what God provides when I expect more stuff to make me content.

Success

Setting a goal, then reaching it.

Gaining a certain level of fame or prosperity.

Reaching the top of one's field.

These are all examples of the way the world defines success.  I easily get caught up in going after the things I think will place me on the top of the heap.  After all, what is the point of trying if I'm not going to achieve greatness?  I think like the world when I believe that I must either do my best to reach the highest point, or don't try at all.

In God's kingdom, however, it's all about my heart, not so much about the outcome.  Paul says, ". . .whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)  Instead of being focused on what will come of my efforts, then, I should be more concerned with my attitude and my motivation for doing a thing.  Then, I will do what I do as a representative of Christ instead of as a means to reach an end.  (Colossians 3:16-17)

While it is natural for me to desire a raise on the job and it would be easy for me to use that as a motivation for turning out high quality work, my heart is in the wrong place when I do so.  In the same vein, I can use my desire to achieve a good reputation for myself as the reason I keep my word, but again, I'm focused only on me.  Even if I am spurred on by my yearning to live a meaningful life, always look for ways to enrich my days, it becomes more about me and less about my Lord.

Instead, I can keep my eyes on Jesus, doing whatever I do to bring Him glory, desiring nothing more than to point to Him in all I do.

I betray my desire for more than what God provides when I am driven my a desire for success.

In the same way that God provided just enough for the people of Israel as they adjusted to their new way of life in the desert, so God gives me exactly what is necessary for this day.  Many times, though, I am discontent with all He has provided.  This yearning for more shows up in the way I desire to store up for the future, or in my efforts to surround myself with things, or in the mode of motivation that drives me forward.  In each case, I betray my desire for more than what God provides.  In reality, He always gives me just enough.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can learn contentment in God's provision.

How do I go after things that distract me from Him?

When am I so caught up with stuff that I forget He is standing at my door waiting to be invited into my life?

Power Manifested

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things 

under his power, 

and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

so he got up from the meal,

took off his outer clothing,

and wrapped a towel around his waist.

After that,

he poured water into a basin

and began to wash his disciples' feet,

drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

John 13:3-5

Every year Forbes compiles a list of the most powerful people in the world.  In order to come up with this roll, they considered people from all walks of life and measure their power in four areas: the number of people they influence, the financial resources they control, how many spheres of influence they possess, and that they actively wield their power.  This analysis gives Forbes a ranking of who they have determined to be the most powerful people in the world.

Not surprisingly, there are those on the list who command troops, lead nations or run corporations.  In God's kingdom,however, power is shown in a radically different way than in the world.  Jesus perfectly demonstrated the manifestation of kingdom power; servant hood.  Jesus Christ would have never made Forbes list of the most powerful people because He doesn't operate by the rules of the world.  Neither, then, should we.

Before I can become a true servant in the spirit of Jesus, there are some things I need to know about myself.

Authority

Jesus knew that His Father had placed all things under His domain.  Being secure in His position, He did not need to prove His authority.  Instead, He was free to lower Himself to the position of servant, knowing this humble attitude would not diminish His power or authority.

In a similar way, I have a certain position in God's kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ that comes with specific powers.  If I realize the power I have over sin, for instance, then I can walk free its heavy burden and operate in this world as a slave to righteousness. (Romans 6:6-7) 

I must also realize that even though Satan in my enemy, He has no authority over me except what I give to him.  The Enemy of my soul is powerless to influence me if I wield this power liberally. (1 John 4:4)

Even though I live in an evil world, I am not bound to it.  Instead, God has given me the ability to live here without buying into it's value system, beliefs or perspectives. (John 15:19, Romans 12:2)

Therefore, since I know the kind of authority I've been given, I am free from the need I may feel to prove myself, or protect my rights, or show my importance.  Due to the fact that God has already given me all the power I need, I can live with a quiet assurance of my position.  

If I am tempted to elevate myself instead of honor God, I can then resist the urge out of reverence for Him.  If the lies floating through my head sound like truth to my flesh, I can choose instead to listen to the Voice of truth that tells me the more accurate story.  And if my itching ears start liking what the world is selling, I can stand firm against conforming to the pattern of this world.

Before I can serve others with true humility, I must accept the authority God has given me through faith in Jesus Christ.

Origin

Wolverine, one of the characters in the X-Men series, struggles with not knowing from where he came or how he received his powers.  This amnesia severely hampers his effectiveness and plagues his psyche as flashes of his past haunt his memories.  There is no doubt that understanding from where I come is equivalently as important for my ability to function in the present and move forward into the future.

Similarly, Jesus knew He did not come of His own accord, but was sent by His Father.  Even though He willing submitted to His Father's will, the plan originated with the Father.  (John 3:16-17)  As a result, Jesus was secure in His origin and free to boldly follow His Father's plan.

I, too, have an origin as a child of God.  Jesus said that I did not choose Him, but He chose me.  (John 15:16)  Furthermore, when I realize that I've been created to do good works that God prepared in advance for me to do, then I more fully understand my purpose.  (Ephesians 2:10)

Consequently, when I am tempted to go after success, I can remember that I am put in my position for a reason and must keep in touch with the Writer of my story in order to know the purpose for my placement.  When I am similarly floundering in a sea of confusion, feeling like I'm spinning my wheels and that my days are insignificant and devoid of meaning, I can remember the purpose for which I've been created.  When I find myself going after the things that make me feel fulfilled and important, I can remind myself from Whom I came and seek His will instead.

Before I can serve others with true humility, I must realize I've been chosen by God for His purposes.

Destination

"I believe this is all there is, and quite frankly, I'm okay with that."  It was hard to hear the words my new friend was saying, but she seemed quite sincere.  As I got to know this professed atheist, however, I began to notice a spirit of unrest and bitterness.  Her initial proclamation of being at peace with her final destination did not seem to pan out in the way she lived her life.  

Knowing where I am headed is vital to my sense of security in this life.  In the same way that Jesus knew His time here was limited and that He would soon return to His Father in heaven, I can take comfort in knowing I have a similar final destination.  Before He went back to join His Father, Jesus said, "My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:2)

Possessing this wonderful knowledge of my eternal resting-place gives me a hope I would otherwise not enjoy.  Once I get this, I will be secure enough to serve others with passion, knowing that this life is not all there is.  

If I think I must get everything I can now because I don't have anything to look forward to, then I'd be tempted to focus only on myself.  Since I have a great treasure awaiting me in eternity, however, I can spend this life serving others in humility.  My reward will not be experienced here, but in heaven.

Before I can serve others with true humility, I must realize my eternal destination and place my hope there instead of here.

Power in this world results in the elevation of those who wield the influence.  In God's Kingdom, however, great power is given so that I can humble myself to the point of servanthood, like my Lord Jesus demonstrated while here on earth.  (Philippians 2:5-11)  When I realize the authority I've been granted, my origin and destination, I can more easily step into a humble role that minimizes my importance but beautifully glorifies God's.  In this way, His power is manifested in my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember from where I came and where I am going.

When do I forget I have a purpose and begin to follow my own dreams instead?

How does knowing that I'm chosen by God change my attitude?  

Bitter Turned Sweet

"When they came to the oasis of Marah,

the water was too bitter to drink.

So they called the place Marah (which means 'bitter').

Then the people complained

and turned against Moses.

'What are we going to drink?' they demanded.

So Moses cried out to the LORD for help,

and the LORD showed him a piece of wood.

Moses threw it into the water,

and this made the water good to drink."

Exodus 15:23-25 NLT

It seemed their life was one stroke of bad luck after another.  Infertility, debilitating disease, accidents, family drama, legal trouble, pain and heartache.  She liked to say, "If we didn't have bad luck we'd have no luck at all!"

I can related.  Sometimes it feels like I'm left with the short end of the stick, leaving me to wonder, Can I ever catch a break?  Does God have something against me?  Why does everything in my life have to be so hard?

When my heart starts despairing over the state of the affairs of my life, I can trust God.  He has a way of turning what seems bitter into sweetness.

Good out of the Bad

It was the darkest day of his life.  He had enjoyed a few years with the boy who walked beside him oblivious to the turmoil going on inside his father.  Now, he wondered if this precious father-son bond was coming to an end.  While he trusted God enough to do as He asked, Abraham didn't have a clue as to how God would pull this off.  All the man was sure about was that God had asked him to sacrifice the very child through whom the Lord had promised great things and that He was a God who could be trusted. (Genesis 22:1-9)

Abraham knew God could bring his child back to life, but I imagine he must have struggled with the thought of putting his only child through such a trauma.  One of the things I worried about most as a mother was the pain and suffering my child endured.  It tore me apart to think about any of my children hurting without me being there to comfort them.  It is one thing to obey God, but it is a whole other matter when obedience would bring pain to my own child.  What would he think I'm doing to him?  Would he wonder if I never loved him?  How would my obedience negatively affect my child's psyche? These are some of the questions I would have pondered if I were in Abraham's shoes.

As Abraham wholeheartedly threw himself into the task of preparing the altar for the unthinkable, God saw the state of his heart.  He could see that Abraham was willing to sacrifice even his only son.  At the final hour, as Abraham raised the knife to take the life of his beloved son, God stopped him, providing instead a ram caught in the brush. (Genesis 22:10-18)

Through Abraham's darkest hour came a beautiful picture of God's love for us.  Out of God's incredible compassion for those He created in His own image, He was not only willing to sacrifice His own son in a way that would cause Him much pain and suffering, but He went through with the act.  Jesus willingly underwent immense misery and anguish at the hand of His Father who could not comfort Him at the time He most needed His soothing touch.  Sin made it impossible for God to even look upon His Son as He hung upon the cross.  Christ became sin Himself at the request of His Father, knowing this act would mean intense, solitary suffering.  He did it all for love, to bring His people back into a right relationship with the holy Father.

Therefore, when I am faced with difficulties in my own life, I can remember how God can take the ugly and turn it into the beautiful.  He can use pain and suffering to strengthen faith.  He can even take the darkest moment and transform it into the biggest blessing.

God has a way of taking what is the worst moment of my life and transforming it into the best thing that ever happened.

Victim into Victor

She could easily be pitied, the circumstances of her life were so unfortunate.  She lost both of her parents at a young age, leaving her no option but to be raised by her bachelor-cousin.   As she grew up in this single-parent home, she lacked the nurturing touch of a mother.  Even though her adopted father did his best, nothing could take the place of a mother's influence.  Still, she made it to the teen years.  As she nearly became an adult, another tragedy touched her life.  She was taken to the king's palace and prepared, along with countless other young virgins, to enter into a selection process to find the next queen.

While it is true that Hadasseh was chosen to take on the role of queen, I am sure it was not a position with which she was comfortable.  Raised to be a good Jewish woman, the Babylonian ways and custom must have felt foreign and uncomfortable to her.  Amazingly, God used the unfortunate life that belonged to this young girl and transformed her tragedy into triumph.  He placed this so-called victim of the horrible circumstances found in her life into a position of influence.  While there, God used Hadasseh, whom the Babylonian's called Esther, to save His people from an insidious plot devised to wipe the Jews off the face of the earth. (Esther)

God has a way of turning the tables, using the weak to shame the strong and the foolish to discredit the wise. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)  Therefore, I need never think my position is too lowly.  If He is to get the glory out of my life, I must become less and He become more.  In this upside-down, backwards way of thinking, He can even use rocks to praise His name. (Luke 19:40)

As a result, I can trust God to bring triumph out of my tragedy.  There is nothing that I face that can keep me apart from the God who loves me.  In this way, I am always considered as a conqueror in God's eyes, even if the circumstances of my life bring about pity from those around me. (Romans 8:31-39) Through His ever-present love, I vanquish despair, strike down guilt and rise above hopelessness.  While I may feel like the walking wounded, the blood of Jesus makes me a champion in God's kingdom.

God has a way of transforming a victim into a victor who can boldly approach His throne and receive an unlimited supply of grace. (Hebrews 4:16)

Pain into Peace

She lay under the vehicle, pinned to the cement driveway by it's weight.  My neighbor had been changing the oil in her car when it suddenly fell off the jack.  As she yelled for her family to come help her, unable to budge the heavy burden weighing her down, she wondered if her life was over.  Suddenly, an unexplained peace flooded her being as she trusted the Lord with her situation.

It didn't make sense that the young woman who lived next to me would feel serenity in the middle of such a near-disaster, but that is the kind of thing we can expect from a God who works in ways we cannot explain.  He sends His healing touch to those who cry out to Him as they lay in the hospital bed, suffering from unimaginable pain.  

He can be counted on to give a sense of calmness to the soldier who depends upon His strength in the middle of a firefight with enemy combatants.  

He has a way of comforting those who are grieving the loss of their beloved.

It is often when I reach the threshold of my own ability to withstand the pain of my current situation that I find His love entering my life in a real, tangible way.  Maybe it's the song of a bird that brings back memories of my dearly departed, or the sudden clarity found in the middle of a previously confusing situation, or the kindness shown when I expected none.

God has a way of turning the pain of this life into peace as I trust Him.

While my friend thought her life was filled with bitterness, she was only focusing on the hard things.  Changing her perspective, she was able to see all the ways God blessed her:  The children who grace her table, the miraculous healing, the protection in the midst of tragedy, the deliverance from lawsuits filed against them.  What had seemed so bitter in their lives had been turned into sweetness.  Good came out of the bad, their victim status was transformed into victory, and much peace came through the pain.  It is true that trusting God through faith in Jesus Christ can turn our bitter into sweet.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can see my life more from God's perspective, taking note of all the good He brings about each day.

When do I only have eyes for the negative?

How am I failing to trust God in the midst of the mess?

Hopeless? Maybe Not . . .

"Moses answered the people,

'Do not be afraid.

Stand firm and you will see

the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.

The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

The LORD will fight for you;

you need only to be still.'"

Exodus 14:13-14

Today we are going to revisit that all too familiar place for us as humans; being stuck between a rock and a hard place.  Yesterday we learned about the instructions God gives to us as we face the impossible.  Today  we will turn our attention to what God will do in these situations as we trust Him:

The Angus steer started bucking and thrashing around the small pen, pinning my dad against the wooden rails.  Scrambling to get out of the way, he quickly climbed over the sides of the outdoor enclosure, muttering, "I'm calling Clarence."

As a child, I was involved in Beef 4-H.  I usually trained and showed a breed of cattle called Charolais which are all white and known for their muscularity.  Peer envy kicked in after awhile, however, and I had developed a desire to show the sleek black Angus breed that my friend preferred. So, my dad gave in and bought an Angus steer.  It was a short-lived relationship.  

Clarence was the guy who picked up cattle and hauled them wherever you wanted them to go; the butcher, the farm of a new owner or to the fair for showing.  After the close call my dad experienced with that new Angus, I was more than willing to go along with his assessment of this animal being too wild for my use.

That steer must have felt like he was stuck in a place he did not want to be when Clarence first dropped him off at our house.  His solution was to try to bust his way out to freedom, hoping that if he could break down the pen then he would be liberated from his current situation.

I am not so different from this obstinate bovine.  When I'm in a place where I don't feel comfortable, or I feel threatened or afraid, I am tempted to bust my way out, to force a change or to make something happen to alter the circumstances.  Instead of taking things into my own hands, I might try handing it over to the Lord and trusting Him.  When I do, I will find certain things happening. 

Enemies will Disappear

The threat of the Egyptian Army overwhelmed the newly freed Israelites.  As their enemy approached, imposing and powerful, the angel of the Lord and His very presence found in the pillar of a cloud that had been leading their procession suddenly moved between them and the danger. Not only could they not see the imposing army, but now they were protected from them throughout the night.  

Just before sunrise, the Egyptians realized what had been going on behind that barrier.  The Lord had parted the waters of the Red Sea, providing an exit path for His people.  As they attempted to follow in the early-morning darkness, their wheels jammed and the usually well-ordered troops were thrown into confusion.  Fear pierced the hearts of the highly trained soldiers as they finally understood Who was on the side of the Israelites.  Unfortunately, their realization was too late as they soon met their watery demise.  (Exodus 14:19-28)

When God is for me, there is no enemy who can stand against me, foiling His plan for my life.  (Romans 8:31-33)  Instead of cowering in the face of their presumed power over me, I can trust God that He will frustrate the efforts of those who oppose Him.  Since I belong to the Lord, anyone who stands in the way of His plan for my life is in reality opposing Him, not me.  

In the same way that God shielded His people of old from their enemies, so God will protect me from contact with those who mean me harm. Not only will He place a barrier between me and those who want to hurt me, but He will throw a wrench into their plans, wreaking havoc as they attempt to move forward.  Finally, if need be, He will completely remove from my life those who have placed themselves in the position to oppose God.  All of these things will only happen according to God's will if I give Him authority over the problem.

When I trust the Lord with my seemingly hopeless situation, God will frustrate the efforts of those who oppose Him.

The Lord will Fight for Me

The young boy picked up the five smooth stones, placing them securely in his pouch.  Readying his sling, he stepped forward to face the giant-of-a-man.  Standing nine-feet tall, the well-muscled warrior sneered at this sorry excuse for an opponent.  "Why are you sending a boy to do a man's job?" Goliath scoffed at Saul's choice.

Undaunted, David proclaimed, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. . . for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give all of you into our hands."  (1 Samuel 17:45-46, 47)

David boldly proceeded forward and killed Goliath, just as he had predicted.  The only way this young shepherd boy would have the guts to carry out such a feat was if he knew from where his strength came.  David recognized that it was the Lord who would fight his battle for him.  As a result, he was able to move forward with confidence, not in his own abilities, but in the Lord's power.

I can be just as bold as David when I face imposing enemies.  When I am being opposed by the sovereignty of the federal government and it seems there is no way out, I can trust God to give me victory over the invincible foe.  When my own body seems to be my enemy, coming up against me and causing much turmoil, I can trust God to bring about the outcome He desires for me to experience.  When it seems I have no hope in finding a long lost loved one, I can trust God to put all the pieces in place in the time He desires.

When I trust God in the midst of the battle, God will fight as a mighty Warrior.

I Must Be Still

We watched the delicate butterfly struggle to break out of it's chrysalis.  The little neighbor boy cried out, "We have to help it."  My daughters, fresh from a homeschool lesson where they learned about the lifecycle of the colorful creatures, implored him not to touch it.  "No!  If you try to help it along, it will die!"

Still, the insistent lad reached out to pull the shell of the chysalis open, causing the newly emerging butterfly to fall to the ground dead.

It was nearly impossible for our little friend to resist helping the butterfly through the natural process of emerging from the pupa stage.  In the same way that his efforts marked the end of the insect's life, so my urge to help the Lord could be destructive to His plan.

While I may think I know what needs to be done to remove a threat from my life, only God sees the big picture and understands all the details of my situation.  Consequently, it is vital that I be still and let Him work out the situation to it's conclusion.  Any effort on my part to further my own agenda will only hamper His purposes.

When I'm tempted to make my own way when it looks like no improvement will ever come, I would be wise to resist the urge to get involved and instead wait on the Lord.  When I am filled with the desire to find an alternative solution because I don't see how God will make a way out for me, I must instead let God work out the unseen details.  When I can't wait to see the outcome and try to move things along a little faster, I will risk going in front of the Lord who is never too slow or too fast.  (2 Peter 3:8-9)

When I trust God by waiting on Him, He will honor my resistance to help and move forward with His plan.

I never like to feel like I'm up against a wall with no way out.  But often times, what seems like a crisis to me is simply an opportunity for God to show His power in my life.  Therefore, I can trust Him to shield me from my enemies, fight the battle for me, and give me the faith to be still in the face of His mighty plan.  In these ways, a hopeless situation may not be as impossible as I first thought!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even when it seems He is doing nothing.

When do I forget the battle belongs to the Lord?

How am I tempted to help God along with His plan?

Facing the Impossible

"Moses answered the people,

'Do not be afraid.

Stand firm and you will see the deliverance 

the LORD will bring you today.

The Egyptians you see today

you will never see again.

The LORD will fight for you;

you need only to be still.'"

Exodus 14:13

It seemed impossible.  God's very own precious people were between a rock and a hard place, up against the wall, and at the end of their rope.  There seemed to be no way out.  The formidable Egyptian army forced them up against the shores of the Red Sea where they pondered their fate.  Why would God go through all the trouble of delivering them from the hands of the cruel slave masters only to have them die there in the desert?  It seemed hopeless.  Where could they go?  How could they escape?  What would happen in the face of such might? (Exodus 14:5-12)

It is easy to panic when what I see before me looks impossible.  The doctors say I only have weeks to live;  my boss tells me he must let me go without severance pay; the debt is so large I don't see how we can ever dig ourselves out from under it.  I am then tempted to go to pieces, wondering what will become of me.  After all, this happens to others but I've never experienced anything such as this.  How will I come out on the other end whole and unharmed?

Then I turn to God in desperation.  When I cry out to Him, telling Him how things are beyond hopeless, that the end is near and there's no way out, He gives me some specific instructions.  Here is what He speaks to my trembling heart:

Do Not Be Afraid

He had been told he would be the father of many nations and that all people on earth would be blessed through him.  Yet here he stood years later, utterly childless and without an heir. (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1) What kind of a cruel trick is this, he must have thought.  Who will stand to inherit my wealth?  How will my name go on?  Will it end with my death?  What kind of a blessing is this?  It seems more like a curse!

Then the LORD gave courage to Abram with a vision in which He said, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." (Genesis 15:1)  It is easy to lose heart when everything around me points to defeat, failure or hopelessness.  God, however, sees the big picture.  He possesses the eternal perspective and therefore can be trusted when my vision is short-sighted.

Instead of putting my faith in my feelings, then, I can take God at His Word, choosing to believe He will bring me safely through this time of trial. (Isaiah 43:1-3)  Since I belong to Him, I can trust Him to fight my battle for me, choosing to believe that with Him on my side there is no one who can stand against me.  (Romans 8:31)  Even when my situation seem ugly and dreadful, God will make it beautiful at just the right time.  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

When I have reached the end of my rope, God gives me specific instructions to choose faith instead of fear.

Stand Firm

It's one of the most familiar scenes in Disney's heart-wrenching "Bambi."  The hunter is after a flock of quail.  As the creatures hide in the bush, one panics, unable to withstand the pressure of staying quiet.  The others beg her to stay put, but her fear suddenly reaches a climax and she succumbs to the urge to fly, crying out, "He's almost here!  I can't stand it any longer!"  After a few moments, we hear the fatal shot of the hunter as the poor bird falls to the ground in a heap. 

While placing such human feelings upon animals may be stretching reality, there is some truth to be found in this scene.  It is natural for me to want to flee in cases of danger, threat or pain.  The urge to run away or find an escape route is great because it is a part of my flesh to want to avoid pain and suffering.  When God says to stand my ground, however, I can take Him at His Word.  

Many times, it is at the moment when the enemy is drawing close, or when the deadline approaches, or when it seems all hope is lost that God shows His mighty hand.  When I stand firm I am proving to God that I believe He's got my back and that He will protect me from whatever it is I fear.  If I instead give in to the temptation to flee, I'll miss out on seeing the deliverance He has planned for me.  

When I am at the point of panic, God gives me specific instructions to stand my ground.

Watch for Deliverance

It was hard to see the tiny shoots poking up through the hibernating earth.  At first glance, there seemed to be nothing there but dirt.  Upon closer inspection, however, I found a few spots of green peaking out through the soil.  Soon, the crocus would be blooming, heralding the arrival of Spring.

In the same way that I had to search for the signs of life in the seemingly dead garden, I must watch for what God is about to do in especially difficult situations.  Sometimes, if I'm not alert and attentive, I can miss the very miracle God performs as a show of His might and power.

When I expect to see amazing things from God, I will perceive these feats of His strength.  When I don't think anything out of the ordinary will happen, I will fail to see what He does.  Those who look will find.  Those who anticipate the out of the ordinary will perceive it.  Those who are expecting to see something new from the Lord will not be disappointed.  (Isaiah 43:18-20)

The thing about watching for God to work is that I never know what to expect.  While I know it will be something extraordinary, I can't limit the scope of His work.  While I'm looking for a cure for what ails the body, He may bring about the healing of a heart.  If I focus on how He is going to provide more income, He may instead decrease the amount of my needs.  When I'm paying attention to the right, the answer may come from the left.  With God, I must expect the unexpected and be prepared for anything.

When I am in need of deliverance, I must expect to see amazing things from God that I could never imagine.

When my life seems to be filled with grief and I'm not sure how I will survive, God gives me some specific instructions.  He wants me to choose faith instead of fear, stand firm in my faith, and use this faith to believe that anything is possible.  When I look for Him to do great things, I will not be disappointed.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to stand firm when I feel like fleeing.

How do I expect only the ordinary from God?

When do I put God in a box, thinking I have the solution all figured out instead of letting Him choose for me?  

The Long Way

"When Pharaoh finally let the people go,

God did not lead them along the main road

that runs through Philistine territory,

even though that was the shortest route 

to the Promised Land.

God said,

'If the people are faced with a battle,

they might change their minds and return to Egypt.'

So God led them in a roundabout way

through the wilderness toward the Red Sea."

Exodus 13:17-18 NLT

"I don't know why no one has ever said this to you before, but you need surgery immediately!"  My friend had just seen a new doctor and was surprised by his insistent response.  Her elbow replacement, first done a few years before, was now infected beyond hope.  The only remedy was to remove the artificial joint and let it "air out" with the objective of killing the bacteria that's causing the problem.  Without this radical procedure, my friend could die of sepsis. 

While it was natural for Rachel (not her real name) to question why it took so long for someone to demand this treatment, there could have been a reason why God was allowing her to take the long way to the solution.  

God knows what we can handle and what would be too much. In my friend's case, perhaps the surgery would have been overwhelming for her to face even a few months ago.  Instead, God waited for her faith to grow to the point where she would be in a better position to go through such a procedure.  Since God is the only One who truly perceives what is best for me, I can trust Him when He leads me down the long, roundabout route.

Preserve my Weak Faith

A greenhouse is a useful tool for any serious horticulturist.  The temperature and moisture levels can be closely controlled thus creating the perfect growing environment no matter the outside conditions.  A greenhouse also provides the added benefit of protection against pests and rough weather.  In short, a greenhouse protects the weak nature of plants from ruin.

In a similar way, my faith may be as weak as a tender green shoot.  When I'm a new believer there are certain circumstances which could be better handled after my ability to trust God has grown.  Sometimes, I am going through a time of doubt or uncertainty when a difficult battle could destroy my fragile faith.  Then there are times when I am simply overwhelmed with the worries of life and one more burden could do in my faith.

In the same way that God knew the Israelites were not ready to handle a battle with the Philistines at this stage of their lives, God perceives what circumstances will grow my faith and what could destroy it.  Therefore, I can trust Him when He takes me down a path that seems long and out-of-the-way.

When I think I can handle any challenge but my life seems so dull and humdrum, I can trust the God who may be trying to preserve my weak faith.

Protect Against Despair

My heart was hard and closed.  I was either unwilling to hear what God was saying or I wasn't ready to accept His words.  As I went through the day, listening to the different speakers and hearing the messages, the tears threatened to flow.  It wouldn't take much to bring them gushing forth in a display of so-called weakness.  Therefore, I kept my worries and fears to myself, steeling myself against the onslaught of emotion that lay just beneath the surface.

There have been many times in my life when I felt close to despair.  Many times I didn't know why I felt this way; all I knew was that my emotional state was fragile to say the least.  During times like these, I feel close to giving up the fight and simply letting my flesh have it's way.  

In times like these, God knows what my delicate state can handle and what would push me over the edge where I would plunge down into the pit of depression and gloom.  He understands the brittle nature of my faith and makes the way easier to guard me against giving up.  

Much like God took His people around through the desert route so that those who were close to giving up would not be faced with a challenge too much to handle, so He does the same for me.  Only He perceives what is the right amount of resistance for me during each stage of my life.

When I am close to the pit of despair, God is sensitive to send me on a long and less difficult route in order to guard my precarious position.

Desert

It was dry and sterile; no fruit could be perceived and I felt empty and useless.  Where are you Lord?  Have you left me?  I don't know why I feel so dead inside.  Help me!

I was going through what I call my "desert period" in which I doubted my faith, wondered if all the things God had taught me were true and basically felt like I'd been had.  It may be hard for anyone else to understand, but for no apparent reason I simply felt manipulated and exploited by God.

As I started to come out of this funk, my faith began to grow in leaps and bounds, as if the desert time was a necessary part of my development.  Somehow, God had used this time of confusion and uncertainty to mature my faith.

Therefore I now know that the times that seem bad and unbearable are being used in the hands of my loving Father for my good.  What I think of as the desert, He calls provision.

When it seems like all is lost and I'm at the end of my rope, God could be providing the tools I need for my faith to grow.

Only God knows what is best for me, and only He perceives the perfect timing.  Therefore, I can trust Him when He leads me the roundabout way, taking me through barren surroundings.  I must consider that He could be preserving my weakened faith, protecting me against despair, or using what seems bad to bring about good.  No matter what, I can trust God, even when He's taking me down the long way.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even when everything seems to be going wrong.

How do I easily let go of my belief when things seem like they are going nowhere?

Have I gone through a desert time?  What fruit came from that situation?