FAITH 06/02/11

FAITH

When Israel saw the great power that the Lord had exercised over the Egyptians, they feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. Exo14:31.

Before this incident something might have happened in their life and they have come to God now. Likewise some people come to Him only to receive the goodness. It is true when you come to Him He will bless you with goodness but if the only intention is "receiving" then that is not good. We should come to Him out of love. And God allows certain things in our life to set us in a right place where He wants us to be. He alone knows the plans He has for us.

Let us meditate this under three captions : 1. Condition of Israel. 2. Zeal of God. 3. Reward.

1. CONDITION OF ISRAEL

a. HARDNESS:

I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them. I will gain honor because of Pharaoh and because of all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” Exo14:4.

Why did the Israelites believed in the Lord? And what was the situation they were going through? People of Israel saw a hardness after they happily started from Egypt. God says, "in your struggle you will see God's glory". You might be asking, "Why such hardness for me?". You are going through this, so that the acts of God may be revealed and that He should do a miracle in your life. A Goldsmith when heat the metal to make jewels, he handles the heat in a proper manner by sensing the heat  in the other end of gold which he holds, so that the gold will not burnt away and melted. Likewise in our struggle God is there to support you, He wants you to grow in Him and want to mould you as a magnificent jewel which is awesome to His heart and He wants to be glorified through you.

b. HAPPENINGS:

When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and the king and his servants said, “What in the world have we done? For we have released the people of Israel from serving us!” Exo14:5.

In your faith training which God allows, you will see God's glory. God says, "This is the time of your miracle". Therefore I will again do an amazing thing for these people – an absolutely extraordinary deed.Wise men will have nothing to say, the scholars will have no explanations.”

c. HAUNTED:

When Pharaoh got closer, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified. Exo14:10.

God says, "You should not be afraid of sudden fear. I will deliver you as you trust in Me and will bless you for the glory of My name."This is the day of your miracle". You shall be blessed above all people.  

2. ZEAL OF GOD

a. CAMPAIGN OF GOD:

The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still. Exo14:14.

If you start fighting then God will be quiet. If you be still obeying God's word then He will fight for you. And you will see the glory of God from this point of time. He proves His zeal for you by speaking on your behalf. Pr.Stephen always used to say, "Though the whole world is on your side but God is not on your side you will be destroyed" and "Though the whole world is against you but God is on your side you will win". 

b. CONCEPT OF GOD:

The angel of God, who was going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. Exo14:19.

Imagine a family going on a tour the head of the family will be at the back to safeguard them. And the Lord says, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Vishwanathan Anand, a chess player while he moves one coin the next hundred moves comes into his mind. When a man could think so many plans in few seconds and take a good decision how much more our God plans the right thing for us. So let us say, " Lord I submit to your plan and let mot my will Lord but your will be done.

3. REWARD

a.TOURING:

Moses stretched out his hand toward the sea, and the Lord drove the sea apart by a strong east wind all that night, and he made the sea into dry land, and the water was divided. Exo14:21.

By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up. Egyptians destroyed the entire history of Israel as they do not want to proclaim  themselves that their gods are not at all gods. God made a new way for His people and when they passed over it that way was closed. It was a real joy and a surprise way for them. In the same way God has prepared an astonishing new way (No eyes have seen nor ears  heard), exceptionally for you and no one else can enter through that way. 

b.TRIUMPH:

In the morning watch the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw the Egyptian army into a panic. So Moses extended his hand toward the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state when the sun began to rise. Now the Egyptians were fleeing before it, but the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. I will gain honor because of  Pharaoh and because of all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” Exo14:24,27,4.

Say in faith: Victory is coming up for me. The Lord's name is to be glorified through my life and I will receive a full reward. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus  Christ!  Amen.