The American Revolution is celebrated in the United States as a victory. The crown of England notes it as a defeat. George Washington is our hero, England’s traitor. The same incident in history looks very different to various people. The same is true in our personal history. We tend to celebrate some events and try to forget others. In my own life, I thought that 1987 was a disastrous year when it was happening, but 23 years later, I see it as a pivotal year when God used choices, my own and those of others, to radically change my heart! God sees His work, our choices, and works towards purposes that we cannot see as it’s happening. How differently our history reads in Heaven! I am quite certain that my life will make much more sense to me when I read God’s account of it.
In Exodus, there is a year that was tragic for the Egyptians, transformative for the Israelites, and tumultuous overall! Moses, under the commission of the LORD, returns to the land and challenges the status quo by telling Pharaoh that God said, “Let my people go!” For Egypt the loss of their work force would be an economic disaster, so the answer was a resounding, “No!” Then we read of an escalating battle that appears to be a match of wills between Moses and Pharaoh. Plague after plague befalls Egypt, bringing suffering and destruction to the country and her people. What is happening from God’s point of view is the birth of a distinct people that would be His own. The LORD confronts, in the plagues, the various deities of the Egyptians, proving them impotent by His Mighty Hand.
At the moment of the final plague, God not only challenges the Egyptians. He also asks the Israelites to act in faith. The firstborn of every household is under the curse, doomed to death. Only a sacrifice of a lamb, done by faith, will protect the accursed. "Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning. For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down." (Exodus 12:22-23, NLT) It is time for the Israelites to choose, to respond with faith and become participants in the plan of God! Those who did as He told them to do, found safety and preservation. The Passover became the signature celebration, a moment of identity for covenant people of the LORD.
Disciple, what is the Lord asking of you today? Does it seem senseless or difficult? He is writing history and the Scripture says that it is written for His glory and ultimately for our good. In a passage full of promise, we are told that "He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:27-29, NIV) How will you view history – as a disastrous experience of God’s judgment or as a delightful journey from slavery to freedom? Obedience is paramount! Receiving His grace, walking in faith, and letting His purpose emerge- that is the call He places on our lives.
Years after the events of Exodus what happened made sense and the summary of it all is written thus: "So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey." (Deuteronomy 26:8-9, NIV) My prayer is that God will find each of us faithful so that we, too, will be able to celebrate history as the unfolding of His gracious purposes. Will you trust and obey?
Here’s a word from the Word. May the truth of it fill your mind and heart with peace today.
"The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand." (Isaiah 14:24, NIV)
"The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand." (Isaiah 14:24, NIV)
______________
O Lord our Lord
How majestic is Your name
Your words are true
Your mercy does not change
All Your promises are precious
Reviving our faith
Every one of them
Will be fulfilled one day
We will run
We'll run and not grow weary
We will rise upon the eagle's wings
In the presence of the Lord
Our spirits will soar
Till we one day gaze upon our King
But my foot had almost slipped
O Lord I'd almost lost my way
'Til I entered the house of the Lord
And heard Your sweet Spirit say
Oh all Your promises
Are yes and amen Jesus
Your promises are true
All Your promises
Are yes and amen Lord Jesus
We'll keep running after You
All Your Promises © 1995 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing | Vineyard Songs Canada | ION Publishing (Admin. by Music Services) | (Admin. by Music Services) | (Admin. by Vineyard Music USA) Andrew Smith
CCLI License No. 810055
No comments:
Post a Comment