Trust

Don’t panic! Use what you have to cross your red sea

Image via jewishcurrents.org

Image via jewishcurrents.org

Don’t panic. Jesus assures His followers that He will never leave them or forsake them. So, why do you panic when you come upon a Red Sea. Indeed, facing a tough situation can be extraordinarily nerve-racking but it can also be a moment when you prove to the world that God‘s word is true, and your faith in Him is unshakable. When a child of God panics in a difficult situation you send a negative message to the world–one that breeds distrust and disbelief.

As a child of God, He empowers you beyond your imagination. You have authority to do wondrous things. Unfortunately, you either do not believe it, or you do not know it.

Here is what Jesus told His disciples about empowerment: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Father is glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:12-14).

Hence, it is not crazy to assume that sometimes God directs you to the Red Sea to test your faith. Therefore, instead of allowing a difficult situation to send you into panic mode, use the experience as an opportunity to exercise your faith.

In the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites came upon their Red Sea, and they panic. They felt trapped. Sandwiched between the Red Sea and Pharaoh‘s army, there was no way out. They turned on Moses, but as a good leader should have, Moses remained calm. He knew God would deliver the group; he just did not know how.  He had no clue that the rod he used to help him to walk would be all he needs.

Still, when Moses cried out to God, for help God surprised him by saying: “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” (Read Exodus 14:15-16).

Essentially, God told Moses not to panic. Instead, he should use what he had (his rod) to do the miracle.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;
and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).

Oceans will part when you trust God

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I know my Redeemer lives

Bad things do happen to good people, but every time something serious happens to a good person the critics question their credibility. This is especially true if the person in question is a follower of Jesus Christ. Even fellow Christians who should know better are often the first ones jumping to a negative conclusion.I am here to urge you not to feel guilty if you are a Christian and going through tough times. It is not uncommon for God to order the suffering of an individual to prove to the adversary that he is upright and steadfast.

Maybe you have lost your job, your house is being foreclose, your credit cards are maxed out, the bills are piling up, and there is no end in sight. Regardless of your troubles hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Your current situation might be a test from God.

The Bible tells us about a man in the Land of Uz, named Job. (Read Job 1:1) Job was a man of substance, who was perfect and upright. He was a righteous man who feared God. He never did anything wrong, yet he suffered. Job lost everything he possessed, including his ten children. Further, he was stricken with a skin disease. His wife and some of his friends were adamant that his suffering was punishment from God. They encouraged him to curse God and die.

But Job was not a wishy-washy man of God. His faith was unshakable. The Bible says, in all his suffering, Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly. Job knew his earthly possession, including his family were gifts from God. After the death of his sons, he remarked, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

Job did not know his suffering was a test from God. However, he was confident he had not offended God. Therefore, he was certain that one day God would vindicate him when he stands before the Judgement Seat. Hence, he declared: “For I know that my redeemer lives and that he shall stand at the latter-day upon the earth” (Job 19:2 5).

In the end, God vindicated Job. His health returned, God blessed him with much more wealth than he ever had. His wife gave birth to ten more kids, and he lived for one hundred forty years afterwards. God rewarded Job for his faithfulness, and he will do the same for you and I.

I know you are there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98nG3xH02wo

“O praise the Lord, all ye nations! Praise Him, all ye people! For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endure for ever. Praise ye the Lord.  (Psalm 117)