Wednesday, January 20, 2010
January 22 ... Exodus 13 - 15 "Led into Wilderness"
Genesis 13:17-18 ... when Pharaoh released the people God didn't lead them down the shortest route because if they encountered war they'd change their minds and go back to Egypt. Instead, HE led them into a wilderness...what? Seems like HE would give them a break from Egypt?? Especially since I've gone through cancer, seems to me like Christians want me to experience a better route and not a wilderness experience. But God led them that way! And the people said in 14:12 - Leave Us Alone! Better to be slaves in Egypt than corpses in the wilderness. And God said in 14:14: Stand Still...God will fight your battles. I'm over here asking Him this morning what that would look like in the midst of where I am??? What do I need to let go of in my wilderness to allow God to fight for me? It's not about how strong I am anymore. HE is meeting me in my weakness. God is changing the way I relate. Crabb had a quote in the audio CD's: "I am committed to my own well being at any cost to you" and that's just not right!
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It's funny how easy it is to see the wrong responses of the Israelites, yet I don't always notice it in my own life. At the first sign of the Egyptians chasing them, the Israelites complain to Moses and blame him for leading them out of Egypt. Really?? It's his fault?? God answered their prayers, and they complain. I confes that I tend to do the same thing when circumstances don't turn out as I think they should.
ReplyDeleteI love Moses' response to the people: "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again. God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!"
Oh Lord, may I recognize that you ARE fighting my battles for me. And may I keep my mouth shut!
Amen CiCi...
ReplyDeleteI am a goal oriented person. I like to dream up goals, set goals, ubtain those goals, organize goals, you name it, I love Goals.
ReplyDeleteYet, one of the hardest things I struggle with is if the goal I set goes not come to pass in a time-line that I have accurately organized.
Reading this part in Scripture, the Lord reminded me that sometimes He will not lead me on the shortest path to reach my goal. He also reminded me that I should resist complaining about the detour of the desert road to get to where He has called me to go.
We are to follow him willingly and trust Him to lead us safely around unseen obstacles. God can see the end of our journey from the beginning, and he knows the safest and best route.
I am once again so thankful to be reading along with each of you, and thank you for all the encouragement and love.
Have a blessed Sunday,
Kim
What a sweet night to meet Sylvia face to face---what courage and compassion she has. To see Annette coming down the hall after me---made my heart full for she so brings God to me! And Ang, the flames of faith are so stirred in you! And then to meet Twinkle, oh my, my heart was so stirred by you! And Linds, my love! And Big Mama---you were totally delightful to me! And my new best friend Suzi! Patty and the Gang---talked about that 1st verse! And then Travis topped it all off as we talked about God wrecking our lives in such a very good unbelievable way! He so gave me encouragement. I'll hold on to this Houston night that drew me up.
ReplyDeleteIt's Monday morning and I'm just catching up with the weekend's readings. There are so many lessons in these verses--the one right now I'm trying to heed-God fighting the battle and me keeping my mouth shut. Not always His Way but for something I'm struggling with right now--I'm sure it is.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a sweet gift to meet ***Twinkle Deborah and be with my dear friend Angie this weekend, and hug Bev's neck again even if it was only for a short while. I so wanted Mary Lou there, but I know one day, God has a meeting place especially designed for us, too--I'm hoping not too long in the future. I am so amazed how God brings strangers, yet sisters in the Lord, together through the internet. What man meant to harm, God has used for good. You all bless me tremendously.