Walking in Deliverance

13And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” 15And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. Exodus 14:13-15
18Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” Exodus 14:18

Have you found yourself in a difficult place and there seemed to be no way out? Let me remind you today that as long as you have breath- there is hope! Often life throws us curve balls, sliders, knuckle balls and fastballs that leave us swinging in the dirt, above our heads or caught looking and striking out. How can we make contact with each circumstance and advance to where God wants us to be in this journey of faith? The answer doesn’t lie within yourself but in your apprehension of God.

Who do you think that He is? This was a question that Moses faced from the Israelites not long after the great victory of leaving Egypt. The people had escaped but then trouble came following right behind them. The first thing that they began to do was complain to Moses about being led out into the wilderness to die. How many times have you thought that living for God was not worth it? Have you ever been reminded of what it was like to be the old man who was dead in trespasses and sin? It’s easy for us to remember what we thought were the good times and forget the bondage that we were really in. Freedom is never an easy road. It is strait and narrow. It follows the way of sacrifice, faithfulness and diligent pursuit of something greater than you. When life began to get a little difficult for the Israelites, they were ready to give up and turn back. However, they were so close to experiencing the power of God…

If God has brought you into a difficult time in your life, He will bring you through it. When we are at our weakest, God is at His best. You may be on the brink of a breakthrough in your spiritual life. There are many options to choose from at this moment. You can swing away in the dirt and complain like the Israelites, stand still and do nothing, swing high with pouting, strike out and wait your turn for another opportunity to learn the same lesson over or connect with the circumstance by connecting with Jesus and trusting in His deliverance. God does not want you and I to remain in the same place spiritually all of our lives. He loves to watch us grow in love, trust and blessed fellowship with Him in all situations. If you read through the Psalms, you can find men in every circumstance in life pouring out their souls before and unchanging God. He was their only constant. Everything else changes.

You may be facing real struggles today that you do not know how you are going to make it through. The Israelites faced the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh’s army closing in. They had fears within and fears without, yet God told them to be in awe of Me— to stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord. In seeing His greatness and Moses’ rod being lifted up, they were able to advance forward on dry ground. This trial that they faced was used to strengthen their faith, but God was also glorified by showing the Egyptians that He was God. You and I, likewise, are placed in circumstances for our good and God’s greatest glory. A. W. Tozer said, “All God’s acts are done in perfect wisdom, first for His own glory, and then for the highest good for the greatest number for the longest time.”

We must remember that the Israelites were not the only beneficiaries of God’s hand upon them. God will use you to make Himself known to those around you as they see your thoughts of God become a reality in your life. The only way other’s can see what you believe is to see life’s pressures give you a squeeze like a hand on a tube of toothpaste. Something will come out… Will it serve its purpose or will it make a bigger mess? About a year ago, I saw the beauty and reality of high thoughts of God. I visited a 95-year old missionary who had lost his wife of 72 years. He was laying flat on his back in a nursing home. If anyone could complain of heartache and grief, it could have been him, yet he told me, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am in to be content.” He realized that God was in control and Jesus was helping Him to walk in deliverance.