Challenges
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Challenges
By: Pastor
David Grove
When was the last time you had a challenge in your life? It doesn’t matter if it was big or small. If you’re like me, I already had challenges this morning even as I am writing this. For some, the challenge may be physical, you just can’t do what you once were able to do. Emotional; the walls seem as if they are coming in on you and you feel like you can’t take it any longer. Financial challenges, the dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to. What about spiritual challenges? If you’re a Christian this may be at the top of your list, why? Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”, (John 15:18). The culture in our world today is for the most part anti-Christianity, if there is anything about Jesus there is an uproar and protests. Even within denominations there is inner fighting between who is right and who is wrong. As for me, I’ll stick with the Bible and not manmade things.
Challenges are nothing new. Throughout scripture we see many God-fearing people having to go through challenges, big and small. I think of the Israelites as they were traveling through the desert for forty years. They had challenges around every bend. After Pharaoh and his people endured the ten plagues that was set upon them because of his pride of not listening to the warnings that Moses gave to him by God, He finally told Moses to take the Israelites and get them out of Egypt. The natural thing to do was to celebrate, they were finally free and would no longer be slaves to Pharaoh. But things would change drastically within a few days. Their biggest challenge was not only in front of them, but it was also behind them. As they traveled God told Moses to have the Israelites turn back and head to the Red Sea, I’m sure this didn’t make sense, Moses was told to get the Israelites out of Egypt now we have to do an about face, but Moses was a good solider of the Lord and he listened.
As they were standing by the Red Sea, they saw in the distance not one, not two but over a thousand of Pharaohs army coming towards them, there was no where to go. With the Egyptian army coming towards them and the sea behind them they knew this was their biggest challenge yet. What to do? Where to go? They were trapped. Instead of turning to God for direction, they began complaining to Moses that he took them from their place of safety in Egypt just to die in the desert, they would much rather be back under Egyptian bondage then to be on the journey that God placed them on. But Moses didn’t lash back at them instead, he spoke words of comfort to them, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”, (Ex.14:13). Wow!! Great words of encouragement but Moses continued with direction, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”, (Ex.14:14).
Being still is not something that comes easy during a challenge but being still is what we are commanded to do. We are not commanded to “be still” just so we can be engulfed by the problems and situations we go through, we need to be still so we can know who is really in control, God Himself. Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I Am GOD.” The phrase “be still” is used approximately seven times in the Bible and in these instances, it is telling us to, trust God and to wait upon Him.
Trapped and afraid the unknown was gripping every fiber of their being with the thought, “this is it we’re going to die” then, God spoke, “Tell the Israelites to move on.” (Ex.14:15). Without hesitation Moses obeyed God and stretched out his hand over the sea and it began to part and the Israelites began walking through. Even though water was splashing all around them they knew that God was holding it back for them to cross to the other side on dry ground. God was not only protecting them from the Egyptians that were charging towards them, but He was also protecting them from the elements that was surrounding them and got them to dry ground where they would be safe.
Friends, this event that took place so many years ago still applies to our lives to this day. You may feel trapped, nowhere to go because of the unknown challenge that you’re in or is ahead of you. But remember, the God who delivered the Israelites all those years ago is the same God who is watching over you in the challenges of life. “Be Still” and know that He is God. Just don’t believe it in your mind, know it to the deepest core of your spirit. For the meantime the Israelites knew that God had saved them, and they wanted to thank God with a song of praise, “The Lord is my strength and my defense, He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”, (Ex.15:2).
Praise Him today and Exalt His name continually and always remember to keep, “JESUS FIRST In ALL THINGS”,
With JOY In JESUS,
Pastor David