Egypt versus The Red Sea
Exodus14:13a And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will accomplish for you today.”
In the spring some of us celebrated the Biblical feast called Passover. We all know well the story of Passover where the children of Israel were delivered out of the bondage of Egypt. The excitement of the multitude mounted as they heard the devastation across the land of Egypt. Every first born not protected by the blood marking on the doorpost fell victim to the death angel. Screams of anguish rose up everywhere.
In haste the children of Israel fled the hardships and tyranny of Egypt. They were heading toward the promised land. Then they came to the Red Sea. Imagine the terror the cascading waves provoked. They felt trapped! The Egyptian soldiers pressing in from behind and the impassable sea lay ahead. What to do?
They began to murmur and question the faithfulness of God. They looked back on the old life. They lamented that Egypt would have been better than dying in the wilderness.
When we hear these very familiar accounts from the Bible we sometimes just take them for granted. I asked the Lord to show me a new insight in this account that we could relate to personally.
Have you ever faced a red sea in your life? It could be health, financial, relational or any one of a number of things that seemed impossible. You could not see any answer. Did the old life you came from suddenly look better?
I have been there. Sometimes when I think the path ahead is too impossible, or challenging, a fleeting thought comes through my head. Lord, we are supposed to be retired? Couldn’t I just take it easy, relax more, read some recreational material, prop my feet up or go over and play more with my new granddaughter? I know to take that thought captive and cast it out of my head. It is coming form the soulish realm or from Satan.
James 1:8 speaks of a double minded man and that he is unstable in all his ways.
II Timothy 4:7 admonishes us to fight the good fight of faith
Phil. 3:14 tell us to press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.
We all have a call on our lives marked by the season we are in. Some may be home schooling, others are involved with nursing home visitation, or visiting shut ins, volunteer work, church ministry, or a multiple of other callings. What ever the Lord has called and designed you for do it with all your might in spite of the Red Sea that seems to block your path.
The water did not part until they stepped into it and then they saw the Lord’s glorious provision. Often when we face our red sea we are too near sighted. We only see the immediate in front of us not the big picture. Whatever the difficulty you face take a step of faith and watch for God’s provision in His time.
Robert Morgan in his book The Red Sea rules gives the following 10 suggestions for dealing with the red sea in your life.
1. Realize that God means for you to be where you are.
2. Be more concerned for God’s glory than your relief
3. Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
4. Pray
5. Stay calm and confident and give God time to work
6. When unsure just take the next logical step in faith
7. Envision God’s enveloping presence
8. Trust God to deliver in His own unique way
9. View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future
10. Don’t forget to praise Him
© 2010 Peggy Park.
Living Free of Anxiety
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
I have to confess I am somewhat of a type A personality in that when I need something done I like to get right on it, get it done, and marked off my to do list. In the assignments God entrusts to us this approach often does not work.
Recently upon arrival home from a writer’s conference my head was swimming with all the writing projects and speaking promotion I could do; however, I have had it with my own ideas that don’t lead anywhere except to frustration. I want to be a good steward, so in the past I have run ahead with what seemed like the right thing to do, only to end up with no fruit to show for the effort. It was as if I was saying to the Lord, “Come along with me and bless my idea. You follow me, Jesus.”
A very proliferate writer/speaker said when she started praying five minutes a day over her ministry things really seemed to start happening. I certainly pray over what the Lord would have me pursue, but have interspersed those prayers into my regular time rather than a concentrated focus.
I decided I would try what she suggested as I was trying to sort through all the possibilities presented at the conference. When I finished this prayer time I heard in my spirit, “Be faithful, not frantic” I thought this was a very good word for many of us who want to serve the Lord, but sometimes shoot off in too many directions as we try to do our best for Him. (Noble as it is to want to serve Him)
Be faithful, not frantic is now my reminder that I am not to be anxious but to have faith in the Scripture in Psalm 138:8a “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” Then I will experience the peace promised in Philippians 4:7.”And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your heats and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay submitted to your will for ministry and not my own ideas. Help me to stay focused and faithful, but not frantic.
Walk Into Your Fears
Deuteronomy 1:21-33
Do you struggle with fears? If so have you ever tried to identify the root of the fears?
Our Scripture passage relays how the children of Israel were told to go up and possess the land. The message from the Lord was, “Do not fear or be discouraged. Go.”
The children of Israel had certainly seen the Lord move on their behalf many times including the crossing of the Red Sea, food and water provided in the wilderness, and guidance with a fire by night and a cloud by day to name just a few provisions. Instead of obeying they came up with their own plan – send out spies to search out the land. Even with the good report of some of the spies and the evidence of fruit they brought back from the land the people rebelled. They still would not go up. They fell into fear, complaining and rebelling. The root was lack of trust.
The New Testament tells us in II Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind.” Fear is not from our Father so it has to be planted by our own thoughts or triggered by our enemy Satan.
Recently I saw a checker in the grocery store wearing sunglasses and a magnifying glass on a cord around her neck. As a nurse I was trained to observe the physical. These objects would indicate something wrong with her eyes. I have been privileged to see several people with eye problems healed and I felt the urge to ask her what was wrong and to offer to quickly pray for her. (There was no one behind me in line.)
I let the fear of, “What will she think override the prompting.” I did not walk into my fear. I repented later in the car and considered going back but knew I had lost an opportunity to take the name of Jesus into the market place. Whether or not she had a serious eye problem I think she would have been touched that a stranger was moved with compassion for her. I have determined to act on the nudges I get and remember what the Lord has done in other situations when I have walked into my fear rather than letting my fears walk all over me.
Let us resolve to examine the root of our fears and determine to rule them rather than let them rule us. Let us face and walk into our fears.
© Peggy Park 2008
Walk Into Your Fears
Deuteronomy 1:21-33
Do you struggle with fears? If so have you ever tried to identify the root of the fears?
Our Scripture passage relays how the children of Israel were told to go up and possess the land. The message from the Lord was, “Do not fear or be discouraged. Go.”
The children of Israel had certainly seen the Lord move on their behalf many times including the crossing of the Red Sea, food and water provided in the wilderness, and guidance with a fire by night and a cloud by day to name just a few provisions. Instead of obeying they came up with their own plan – send out spies to search out the land. Even with the good report of some of the spies and the evidence of fruit they brought back from the land the people rebelled. They still would not go up. They fell into fear, complaining and rebelling. The root was lack of trust.
The New Testament tells us in II Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind.” Fear is not from our Father so it has to be planted by our own thoughts or triggered by our enemy Satan.
Recently I saw a checker in the grocery store wearing sunglasses and a magnifying glass on a cord around her neck. As a nurse I was trained to observe the physical. These objects would indicate something wrong with her eyes. I have been privileged to see several people with eye problems healed and I felt the urge to ask her what was wrong and to offer to quickly pray for her. (there was no one behind me in line.)
I let the fear of, “What will she think override the prompting.” I did not walk into my fear. I repented later in the car and considered going back but knew I had lost an opportunity to take the name of Jesus into the market place. Whether or not she had a serious eye problem I think she would have been touched that a stranger was moved with compassion for her. I have determined to act on the nudges I get and remember what the Lord has done in other situations when I have walked into my fear rather than letting my fears walk all over me.
Let us resolve to examine the root of our fears and determine to rule them rather than let them rule us. Let us face and walk into our fears.
© Peggy Park
8/28/2008