"God will make a way when there is no way."
God told Moses that He would lead His children out of Egypt to a beautiful land flowing with milk and honey. A Promise Land that seemed to be too good to be true, but it was. However, the question on everyone's mind was, how? For over four hundred years the descendants of Abraham had been held in captivity and dependent upon the hand of Pharaoh. They faced many obstacles of hardship, pain and suffering during those years, and they had been taught that no ones was more powerful than Pharaoh. But now the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wanted to set them straight and free. So they needed to learn some things about Him. Mainly, that His deliverance would come in His time and His way. And they were to submit to the unseen God, rather than Pharaoh or any other man-made idol.
However, Pharaoh was a stubborn ruler and he would not let the Hebrews slaves go when he was asked by Moses. So God sent awful plagues, one after another for months and still the sons of Israel had gone nowhere except back and forth to the mud pits. Some had begun to wonder if they would ever leave Egypt. Yet, during these delays and false promises from Pharaoh many others chose to trust and obey the one true God and His servant Moses.
God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he would not relent until the last plague; the angel of death. After that tragic and eventful Passover night they all knew, including Pharaoh, that the God of Moses was more powerful than him or any other god. Pharaoh finally relinquished and he let the slaves go to serve their God. There was singing, dancing and praises as nearly two million people left the devastated land of Egypt taking with them all its plunder.
During their new found freedom, they were lead by the cloud of the Lord. However, after a few days they found themselves facing another obstacle, the Red Sea. So they camped for the night not knowing what else to do. Then someone noticed Pharaoh's army and chariots closing in on them and they began to panic. Some were ready to surrender to the whip of slavery again. But, God was not about to let that happen or have His plans changed by the pride of a sore loser. So God placed a pillar of fire between their two camps until His trap was ready.
Moses was new at being a leader and a spiritual influence. So he told the crowd to trust the Lord and the Egyptians army would be no more. "For the Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." Then Moses cried out to God.
Now prayer is very important, but there comes a time when the actions of faith are more important than talk or prayer. Remember, God had given Moses a rod, a symbol of His authority, then told him what to do with it. All he had to do was raise his rod and stretch out his hands over the sea and God would do the rest. Wow, just that simple. The winds came and the Red Sea parted that night leaving dry ground for them all to walk across.
As they gather safely on the other side, the sons of Israel saw the hand of the Lord move over the sea again and then the pursuing army that had followed them was gone forever. God told Moses, by this all men would know that I am the Lord, and I am honored by Pharaoh. Wow! God is honored even when judgement is served. The children of Israel saw the awesome power of God, they feared the Lord and gave Him praise. Now they believe God and in His servant Moses.
However, as time passed their attitude quickly changed, because this would not be the last obstacle they would face. How quickly they forgot God's power and faithfulness that was demonstrated for them. Little did they realize that within a matter of months they would also try to replace Him with a 'god of gold.' Their journey had just begun and the Lord still had many things to teach them. But it would take them a lot longer to learn than they could have ever imagined, before they entered the Promise Land.
The promise to Moses and His people was fulfilled, but not everyone got to see or experience it. Many rebelled, grumbled and complained along the way and in their hearts most didn't really trust God. Their flesh craved many things, and they became discontent. Yet what they really needed was an intimate relationship with Jehovah, just as Moses had. They could have had that, but when they heard His voice they became afraid and ended up asking Moses to speak for Him. From this story in the Bible we see that it was not the big obstacles that kept many Israelites from reaching the Promise Land, but their own carnal desires and lack of faith.
Do you see that many of God's people today is really not that much different than in Moses' time. God has also made a promise to lead us to the Promise Land, Jesus Christ. We must be ready to enter a new age of God's grace, and enter into His rest. Yet, we often act like children, preferring others to speak for Him. But, as God's sons and daughters we should learn to know His voice. We also have been set free and given His power and authority. Yet we still too often struggle to put our complete trust in Him when trials or obstacles come across our path, and I not exempt. I'm still learning also.
In this lifetime there will always be problems and circumstances of some kind. But know for certain, they will all bow, (even satan) to the will of God regardless of their number or sizes when we're willing to take steps of faith. Just like the Israelite priest did when it was time for them to cross the Jordan River at flood stage to enter the Promise Land. So too, we as sons and priests must step forward in His will. But, it is also most important to remember that God will do whatever He can to help us reach the other side as we place our trust in Him.
The biggest obstacles in ones life will not be the Pharaohs or the Red Seas, but our own fleshly desires and our lack of trust in God.
gods of gold
The gods of these world are gold plated, they look good from the outside and make lots of promises, but the only genuine article is Jesus Christ. He's real, solid and pure all the way through.
