Trusting God in Uncertain Times Day 4

Trusting God in Uncertain Times

Day 4

March 25, 2020

Exodus 14: 15-31

In these verses, the LORD tells Moses to lead the Israelites in breaking camp. God’s command and His work that soon followed  were tied to His glory.   Moses is to raise his rod over the Red Sea, and we know the end of the story – it parted into two walls of water -one on the left and one on the right.  Meanwhile, the Egyptians, whose hearts God had hardened, had set out in hot pursuit.  The Israelites walked between the walls of water to safety on the other side. When the last Israelite was safe, Moses, again, lifted his rod and the sea closed. As it closed, it swallowed the Egyptian armies who were in hot pursuit of the Israelites.  As the Israelites stood on the other side, they saw their enemies destroyed. This would be a defining moment in the history of Israel as time and again, they would refer to this great act of God on their behalf. Verse 31 closes with the words “And the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and His servant, Moses.”

Many of us are sequestered in our homes as the COVID19-virus ravages our land and the whole world. These are days of great uncertainty, and many have lost hope. In many ways, this is a Red Sea moment in the lives of many. Will we trust God to deliver in His own way or will we crumble in panic --- hoarding, blaming, and giving way to depression and anxiety?  I confess that I have allowed depression and anxiety to creep in, and I constantly look to my Father for help.  Yet, there are others whose lives have been up-ended by COVID-19 – they have it or know someone who has. School children and their families have been forced to embrace isolation/home schooling, and I pray for them.   I, also,  try to constantly remind myself that my times are in His hand, my life is His to control, and He will see me through to the end of this virus or to the other side. The same is true for all those who put their trust in Him. In these days, that whatever God does is for His glory, and what is for His glory will ultimately be for our good.

Trusting God in Uncertain Times Days 2 and 3

Days 2 and 3 -- March 24, 2020

Trusting God in Uncertain Times

Exodus 14:1-14

Somehow my entry for yesterday was lost.  So, I’ll cover verses 1-14 today.  In the opening verses of the chapter, Pharaoh regretted his decision to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. He had just lost his free labor. So, he set out in hot pursuit of them.  It was a part of God’s plan – this hardening of their hearts.  This would be an opportunity for God to show His glory in yet one more judgment on the Egyptians.  In this coming great act of God, the Israelites would know the He was the LORD – the covenant God of His people. Yet, already the Israelites were showing hearts of unbelief and distrust. They cried out to the LORD as they saw their enemies approaching. They also turned their anger toward Moses.  They preferred the safety of slavery rather than the unknowns of freedom. Moses’ words are legendary. In fact, my often-cursory reading of this chapter led me to think that the Lord spoke the words in verses 13 and 14: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD’s salvation, that He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you” (Exodus 3:13-14 CSB).  Moses knew they stood on the cusp of seeing the mighty hand of God, even though the Egyptians were behind them and the might Red Sea in front of them. Yet, he says “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm."

I am aware that these words were spoken to Israel for that time in history. Yet there are takeaways for us today.  First, we see that God cares for His people. Second, we see that God is in control. He is directing these events to show Himself strong – to strengthen the faith of His people. Third, He is able to deliver, and He will.   As we seek to apply these to our lives in these times of uncertainty, we can trust His care.  Second, there is no need for fear. In fact, he has this situation firmly in control.  Third, there is no need for fear. I remind myself of this moment by moment.  I once heard it said that the Lord tells us 365 times in Scripture not to fear. My heart needs these words in these days of social isolation.  May I cling to His promises and find ways of encouraging others to do the same.

Trusting God in Uncertain Times Day 1

March 27, 2020
Exodus 13:17-22
After years of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites had been delivered by the mighty hand of God.  They
were marching off into uncertainty into who knows what?  In today’s passage, God leads them what might be considered the long way around. The short cut would have led them into almost certain war with the Philistine nation, causing them to turn back. Instead, He led them by  way of the Red Sea.  Unbeknownst to them, He would show His mighty power once again as He brought about their final deliverance – physically-from the land of Egypt. Yet, many would carry Egypt in their hearts – the delicacies and the privation.  Yet He was still with them; he never left His people.   His presence was evident in the pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  They had yet to see His ultimate act of deliverance – this would be an event that prophets would use as a reminder, an event that the Psalmists would use as the basis of praise. Even in times when they could not see Him, they could trust His character and know that He would never leave them.
In these days of social isolation, it is easy to forget who God is. When we see empty shelves, let us remember the God who delivers. He delivers us from self-seeking. He delivers us from fear. He delivers from disease either by sparing us, providing medical care, or taking us home to Heaven. May we not presumptively ignore the requests to remove ourselves from public contact except as is necessary for food, medical care, or to assist those in need, all the while keeping our distance.  He is the God-who-is-there. He is the God who sees (Jehovah-El-Roi). We will come through this stronger and hopefully more in love with Him.