Friday, July 13, 2012

Is Your Back Against A Wall?

Have you ever been in a place where you found yourself with your back against a wall? I know I have. I was reading in the book of Exodus this morning about the Children of Israel coming out of the land of Egypt. I noticed something very strange about the story that I hadn't paid much attention to heretofore (I have been looking for a place to use the word "heretofore." SCORE!). God led them to the place where they would be trapped with their back against a wall. A wall of water.

Exodus 13:17        Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”
   18       Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. 1995 (Ex 13:17–18). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Has the Lord put you in a place where you are at your wits end? Has God lead you to a place where you are trapped with no way out? Watch and see what happens. Just like the Children of Israel with their back against a wall, He will not abandon you either.

Exodus 14:13       But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.
   14       “The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. 1995 (Ex 14:13–14). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The Lord is saying the same thing to you today, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today! The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

Don't forget about that last part. "Keep silent!" We all too often run around complaining to everyone, who haven't had time to scurry away, about how bad we have it. Just be still, be quiet, and allow God to be God. He has not abandoned you. He will fight on your behalf. Now it may not look like what you are expecting, but what God has in store for you is far better than what you have planned for yourself.

God fought for the Children of Israel and they would have missed out on seeing His great deliverance if He had not lead them to the place where they had no choice but to trust Him. God will make a way for you when it seems like all hope is lost. Just keep silent and watch Him work. You will be amazed and then like the Israelites you too will sing praises to your Deliverer. Read Exodus 15:1-18 if you need some help wording your own song of praise.

No comments:

Post a Comment