07/24/2019
Are you in a difficult place in your life? Do you find yourself like the Israelites did when they had the sea before them, and the Egyptians racing to catch them from behind? Do you see no good way out of your predicament? If this is you today then do as Moses told the people “Fear not, stand firm” and trust in God to do the miraculous.
“And Moses said to the people, "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, and you have only to be silent."”
Exodus 14:13-14 ESV
There is an old saying that goes like this “we’re caught between a rock and a hard place.” And that is exactly the kind of situation that the Israelites were in. There was no way out for them... well no way out that any reasoning person could see, but God is not bound by what seems reasonable as we are, and he can change the dynamics of the world itself if that is what is required to save His people. His will stands before all else, and His salvation, based on His love for us, conquers all obstacles... all we need do is have faith in Him, be one of His people, be silent, and watch Him open a door where there wasn’t one before.
“The Lord said 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.”
Exodus 14:15-16 ESV
We talk about having faith the size of a mustard seed and being able to move mountains, and part seas, but who is it that actually does these things? Our faith is not in ourselves because we are certain that parting an expanse of water, or moving a mountain is beyond our ability; so who does this when we say “move!”?
“He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."”
Matthew 17:20 ESV
God moves the mountain when we have the faith to ask it of Him, and yet He does nothing that goes against His will. God worked through Moses, He worked miracles through Jesus, and He can work through us if we will listen to His will, and abide in our faith in it.
“So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.”
John 5:19-20 ESV
Today you may be facing calamity in your life, but how are you praying? Have you cried out to God for an answer? Are you waiting for Him to tell you to part the water? Are you seeking His will in your predicament by aligning yourself with what you see Him doing? Or, are you just praying your own will, based on your own needs and ability to envision a solution? Unless we seek God’s will, then we are shackling Him to our own view of the problem that we find ourselves in... and limiting Him to whatever solution we have devised. Praying for God’s Will to be done is extremely hard for us because it means we must let go of our own desires, and will. Jesus knew the will of God when He prayed in Gethsemane, and accepting it meant abandoning His will, but He did... and God strengthened Him... and it redeemed man and all creation from death and sin.
“saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.”
Luke 22:42-43 ESV
Letting go of our will, and latching onto God’s may not be easy. Sometimes we see amazing things ahead as the waters part and God rescues us on dry land, sometimes He thrills us by moving the mountain, but it also might mean suffering and death before He gives us new life, and before we finally come to see the goodness in the end result. God takes even the hardships and pain, and works all of this together for good. Our will limits Him because we really don’t want the pain, hardship, suffering, or death... Jesus struggled with this too... thus we hear the agony in His prayer as He relinquished His Will, and we witness Him sweating blood over that decision.
“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:44 ESV
But if we seek out God’s will, and obey it... then doors open, mountains are moved, and the sin and death that we once could not see beyond is defeated. No miracle occurs outside the will of God. So where do we stand? Are we praying that His will be done as we face our troubles, and are we standing fearless and silent in it, or are we still sweating blood and praying that God conform to our will? Are we wanting nothing but the good, or are we willing to let God work ALL THINGS together for what will ultimately be good?
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
Fear not, stand firm, be silent, and trust in God’s will and goodness. He loves us so much that He offered up His own Son on Calvary for us, and Jesus loved His Father enough to submit Himself to the cross... so how much do we love him? Do we see good ahead when we stand in the midst of our trials?
“And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
Matthew 22:37-38 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing your will to me so that I might align myself within it. Thank you for the example of your Son Jesus Christ who shows me that although my Will avoids all suffering and death, your will uses those things and more to produce good... if we only open our eyes to that truth then all is possible. I thank you Lord for the miracles in my life that thrill me, and the joy and happiness that so often come without the hardship, but I also praise you in the storms, and trust in your will to bring good from them. Open the doors, and provide the rescues that I can’t see on my own Holy Father. When I am starving feed me your manna, both physical and spiritual, and give me drink when I thirst... water when my tongue is parched, and the blood of Christ when my spirit thirsts for His remembrance. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who brings good from the darkest of nights, and rescues us when no Hope seems possible. Praised be your name for your love, goodness, and mercy! All glory be yours for the grace that flows through Jesus to cover us. How will I worship you? How will I answer your will? I will worship you with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind... And I will answer your will just as Jesus did by saying “not my will, but yours, be done!”
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV
Rich Forbes