Deliverance

As I pondered on the Story of the Children of Israel in the land of Egypt how they suffered at the hand of Pharaoh I am reminded of their exodus from Egypt ‘The Israelites were wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ When God declared  ^“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” 

Often in life we too find our self in situations that only divine intervention can rescue us, and thankfully God is faithful and he will not suffer anyone to be destroyed by the enemy if they call unto him, he is a mighty God and he has never lost a battle often times we have not because we ask not, however today God invites all to come to him. Whatever your wilderness experience he is able to deliver you.

 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.  The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.

 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?  Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

Sadly we often misunderstand God’s dealing with us, problems will come in this life, none is free from trouble, however we all need to recognise that God is in control and nothing can destroy us, because our steps are ordered by God. As the Israelites became terrified Moses gave the command. Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

What a mighty Captain! Today God still speaks, he is saying to you and to me whatever the circumstances surrounding you; remember he is calling you to “stand still” as he brings you deliverance.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

What a foolish thing to do? Did Pharaoh and his army not know who they were opposing? Who challenges God? What a defeat it was! For both Pharaoh and his army drowned in the sea, as God safely lead his people safely to the other side on dry ground.

Today my friends the Lord is saying to you what is in your hand? Like Moses he had a rod and he stretched it across the sea and it parted and they all walked to safety through the mighty power of God. What is in your hand? Whatever your situation God has entrusted you with something in order that you may use for his glory. Will you use the gifts he has empowered you with and stand still and see his glory? Or will you murmur and complain?