2021 Post #2
Wow! Our nation has been rocked to the core this past week! Don’t worry, I’m not going to discuss political details in this post. But, we can’t completely hide from the effects of it here, either. In last week’s post I declared that I choose to live a life free from fear through Christ. While I still live by that declaration, fear tried creeping in all week as I watched the events of the last week unfold. I have read articles, watched news from many sources, questioned whether or not stocking up on necessities was needed, I’ve made plans with my grown children for the what-ifs, and at this point it all feels like a big blur.
But, God! I am constantly amazed by the way He works all things together and gives us exactly what we need. There have been two thoughts that have occurred over and over to me this past week. I have heard them mentioned in different videos I've watched, read them in devotions, and have been led to them in the Bible.
1. The Red Sea
2. Be still and know that I am God. (Psalms 46:10)
Are you wondering what those thoughts have to do with what's going on in our nation? I wasn’t sure either until I opened my Bible and let the Lord guide me. Let me take you down the rabbit trail that led me to a place of clarity in my thoughts. Side note... as I study the Bible, I read from two different versions, so some of the verses I reference will be NIV and some will be HCSB. I encourage you all to use more than one version as you read the Bible. It has helped me tremendously in my understanding of God’s word.
First, let’s start with the second thought: Be still and know that I am God. When this verse first started rattling around in my head, all I could think was, be still?? Am I not supposed to do anything during all of this mess going on in the country? Do I not prepare? It caught my attention when I read the HCSB. It says, Stop your fighting- and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth. As I read this verse and the few before and after it, I knew what the purpose of this verse was for me. I realized that He wasn’t giving me this verse to do nothing. He was telling me to relax, find peace, do not be fearful, and to know the greatness of God.
Now on to my other thought this week, the Red Sea. I wasn't really sure there was a message for me in this thought until I let my Bible fall open after I prayed for guidance on what to read. Several years ago my youngest daughter wrote an I love you mom note to me and I stuck it randomly in my Bible. Well, that’s the page where it fell open. On that page is Deuteronomy 11, and in verse 4 the words “how he overwhelmed them with the waters of the Red Sea as they were pursuing you” popped off the page and gave me confirmation that I needed to read more. That led me to Exodus 14, where the Bible accounts for the journey of the Israelites out of bondage from the Egyptians. I won’t recount the whole story here because I would want to write every single word of it, so please go read it when you have time. The part of this account of events that spoke to me is not the actual parting of the sea. It’s actually before the sea parted. In verses 13-14 Moses said to the people, “Don't be afraid, Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” (HCSB) Are you seeing any connections yet? Be still… be quiet(do not be afraid). Know that I am God… the Lord will fight for you.
The few verses before this (10-12) brought these thoughts of mine full circle. In them, the Israelites let fear take over as they saw the Pharaoh and other Egyptians coming after them. They cried out to the Lord for help and then questioned Moses. They started to panic and fear was making them doubt their choice in leaving the harsh life they were living in servitude to the Pharaoh. They said to Moses, “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” It was after I read these verses that I had clarity in my Ah-ha moment. In a split second they went from asking the Lord for help to questioning where He had led them. They let fear cloud their judgement. How could a life in bondage be better than the blessed land waiting for them on the other side of that sea? It couldn't! We cannot let fear be our compass! There is only ONE that points true north and it has to be the one that we follow… Father, Son, & Holy Spirit! We cannot let ourselves be swayed in a different direction than where the Lord would have us go.
As it relates to current events, we must not make decisions or take action based out of fear. We must look to the word of God! We must stay on our knees in prayer! We must stand for the truth, God’s truth! My prayer for you all this week is that you be bold in your faith, that fear does not take hold, and that you face every situation with clarity received through Christ alone.
Much Love,
LB