so, when the Lord challenged me to read through the Exodus in the Old Testament, it came after I had a vision of Biblical parallels in my life. i was sitting in church two Sundays ago, and the Lord laid the parting of the red sea on my heart. i started thinking about it and the implications, and what the israelites were going through mentally and spiritually before, during, and after that experience.
once i started reading through, the Lord was revealing new truth and mercies about his unchanging faithfulness to those that choose to follow Him. I’ve spent over a week dissecting the passages verse by verse; hungry after the wisdom within them. all i’ve been wanting to do is dive into the red sea head first, but i have just kept hearing the Lord say, “wait, you’re not done yet! stay here.” but alas, i think i’ve finally made it through the wilderness with moses and his posse and am approaching the red sea! however; its a part of the red sea that i also didn’t envision divulging into, but giving Him praise for using His word to teach me yet something else that is new!
moses just squelched the qualms of the israelites by reminding them to put their trust in the Lord and to not be afraid. he boldly told them out of faith to stand still and watch the Lord rescue them! could you imagine being calmed by such words when the enemy is in hot pursuit and it looks like we’re backed into a small corner? would you believe them, even if they came from the Lord Himself? how often are we in similar positions in where our pursuit of the Lord looks like it has lead us to a dead end; only to find that God has a miraculous plan in place to rescue us and deliver us elsewhere if we could only just wait and be still for the Lord to rescue us?!
i think it was important for me to revisit that aspect of the passage because, to my eyes and heart at least, it has boldly stood out as a foundation aspect of faith from the beginning of Biblical time. but what followed Moses declaration of faith in the Lord was not what i would’ve expected as a leader, but maybe its time to modify my notions on leadership.
immediately after the text tells us that Moses declared victory in the Lord, God says to him, “why are you crying out to me?! tell the people to get moving!” i was shocked that God didn’t affirm his declaration, or even remind him what a blessing he has been or praise him for a steadfast faith in what God can do. Moses was a leader of the israelites; he was called out of petty faith (as we all truly are) and into a faith that requires total belief and reverence of the Lord. we wouldn’t think of rebuking a crying infant that is scared of the dark or being alone in an unfamiliar place. however, when the child grows older, and begins to cry wolf each time they are met with a small fear because they can not see their father or mother on the other side of the wall, you’ve got to be stern and show some tough love.
in january, i was nannying for this sweet, sweet girl while her family was out of town. in the past, i have had zero problem with her getting to sleep on time and without quarrel. for some reason, this time was far different. at four years old, she had to have me sit in the room with her, even when she knew i was in the other room, with the doors open and the lights on.
at first, i complied to her innocent requests; but then she became insistent that i sit on the bed with her, or fall asleep in that room. one night, she woke up in the middle of the night screaming because i was not in there. i jumped out of bed from my light slumber (i’ve learned how a mother’s sleep is never deep and restful after these experiences!) and ran to her room to show her that i could both hear her and be there in a seconds notice. but at one point that week, i had to lay down who’s boss and allow her to fall asleep after an abbreviated time of tears just to show her she could do it. that set the tone for the rest of the week, and she was fine.
God does the same thing with us sometimes. we call and call and call on Him for the same thing, over and over, when we know we are taken care of and just need to possess the faith of a mustard seed. most of the time, he is quick to direct us back on the path that he has planted before us; but in this time with Moses, he sternly said "Why are you crying out to me?!" in Job 38:1, God questions Job in almost a sarcastic way: "the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ... Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." in my Bible, there is a devotional for grace out of that scripture, and the author writes, "God, like a grace-filled parent, is always trying to guide His children to a higher way when we are misinformed or misguided and are acting out of naivety -- or stupidity." --Patsy Clairmont God is not concerned with being our friend. He wants a whole-hearted faith based on His love, truth, mercy, and grace. This is a God that can part the waters, that can raise the dead, and that can heal the blind. He created this world, only He has the knowledge and wisdom and understanding that we should seek. He doesn't need us. Yet, He created us, in His image to love and serve and to have faith.
i probably lost you in the last paragraph; i think i even lost myself on that tangent. but i think it is important for me to remember that God is not all about gentleness and being P.C. He is a just and jealous God, too. He wants our faith, our lives; and He doesn't want to play second fiddle to anything else we try to put before Him.
***
i feel like i've migrated way off course of this post, but whatever. i digress, and continue.
what strikes me is that the Lord says, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."
uhhhhh, what? stretch my hand? raise my staff? if i were Moses, this would be a moment I'd be shaking in my boots. think about all the questions that could've been running through his head at the time! what if nothing happens? what if we walk boldly into the sea, just to die? i know God can do this; but, through me? Moses had a heavy load on his shoulders, but the Bible doesn't mention if he walked in fear of what God was calling him to.
God is willing to do awesome things through those of us that put our trust in Him fully. whether it is part the red sea at the raise of our hand, or the "power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease," as Jesus gave to us, noted in Matthew 10:1. in verse 8, He charges the disciples to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out deamons; for freely you have received, freely give." what if we truly believed that we had the power of jesus to do things that He has called us to? why is it so hard to believe that we have the power of Christ, living inside of us, to see us through the wilderness? when the disciples told Jesus to send the multitudes away because there was nothing to eat, he boldly told them "You give them something to eat." (Mark 6:37) well, okay. not the reaction they were looking for i'd bet. after he looked to heaven (first), blessed the bread (second) and broke the loaves (third), he gave them to the disciples to give out. Jesus knew His own power, but throughout the entire Bible, God has given us allegories and examples of where He has called man to do great things through His power and authority, and (please correct me if I am wrong, but) in those cases, God always prevails. even after His resurrection, He says, "all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." (Matt. 28:18-20).
Point being: be more like Moses. When God commands us to raise our staff, let's not bow out gracefully, citing our own human flesh as an excuse to not stand up to the call that God has laid upon our hearts. for in our weakness, God's strength is made perfect (2 Cor. 12:9). Moreover, we are to "examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. test yourselves. do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" (2 Cor. 13:5)
speaking out of conviction much?
No comments:
Post a Comment