He is for you
Hello Bride of Christ,
Ever feel like you cannot catch a break? You solve one pressing issue to then be presented with another pressing issue. You make just enough money to pay the bills and rent for the month to then have your car break down and need repair. You try to start saving and then the rainy day comes before there is anything put to the side. This does not only present itself financially but also spiritually.
You pray for your child's relationship with Jesus and they receive Christ and then quickly drift away and get carried away by the cares of this world. You pray for a friend's healing and the healing never comes but the disease spreads and more trials come upon this friend. Wave after wave of trials.
Reminds me of the time I bought my first car. I did not have the money to buy a car, but needed one to be able to complete the internship I had accepted over the summer of my junior year of college. Thankfully my Abuela (grandmother) had money set aside for me. It was not much but I was grateful she was thinking of me and willing to help me out. The funds she provided were just the amount needed to buy a used Honda Accord. When I drove that Honda Accord back to my mother's home to prepare for my journey back to Virginia to start my internship I thought to myself, "Thank you Jesus for providing for me. Now I do not have to worry because I am ready for Monday!"
I get to my mother's home and park the car excited to share about my find when I look down and notice a gas leak. I was so disappointed and upset. I called the dealer, who thankfully was willing to fix the gas tank at no extra cost, but would take another week. I did not have another week. My internship was starting on Monday. But what could I do. My brother and cousin helped me out, as I return to Virginia to start my internship, they ran the errand of dropping off and picking up my car. Finally two to three weeks later I travel back to New York to get my fixed car.
I drive it down to Virginia. I drive it to my internship on Monday. To park and have an emergency light flash on the dashboard. NOW WHAT?!?! Thankfully where I was interning they had an auto repair shop. I take it to the repair shop to find out I needed a new alternator. Yet again I was disappointed and upset. I was living paycheck to paycheck trying to get internship experience, and I forgot to mention I was in between living arrangements (I was two weeks away from being homeless since the lease would be up and I had no place to transition too)!
But as you can probably guess the Lord provided again and again. He gave me the funds for the car, the gas tank repair, the alternator, and He solved my living arrangement and actually led me to live in a Christian home! These relentless storms reminds me of the children of Israel and how they must of felt upon their exodus from Egypt.
The Red Sea
Join me in Exodus 14. The children of Israel by this point have been set free from Pharaoh and were led by Moses through the wilderness. God was going before them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Just when they thought they were free and could let their guard down, God speaks to Moses, "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp, before it by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, 'They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.' Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord." (Exodus 14:1-4)
So as the Lord foretold it so it was. Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he sent out his horses and chariots after the children of Israel. The children of Israel according to Exodus 14:8 started out in boldness. I presume because Moses told them what the Lord had told him to tell them. But as the situation became more and more real. They could see the Egyptians and their chariots marching towards them they became very afraid (Exodus 14:10).
We are no different. We lose focus and get caught up in our trial and circumstance and begin to slowly fade from bold people to fearful people. But the Lord knows this because He made us. He knows our hearts. He knows how fragile we are.
Stand
Therefore the Lord uses Moses to speak to the people. Moses responds, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will flight for you, and you shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:13-14) Note Moses did not tell the people to seek anything in and of themselves to overcome their fear. He did not encourage them to rely on themselves to overcome this trial. Moses directed their attention to their Lord. Moses directed their attention to their God.
Bride of Christ, the battle / trial we face is not ours to resolve. It is an opportunity to stand still and watch our God work. He is always working for you and me. However, we are not always standing still enough to see it.
As you all probably are very familiar with the end of this account known as the crossing of the Red Sea, that the children of Israel cross and get the victory. But I think the true encouragement and lesson to be gleaned to be practiced in our lives is to trust the Lord. Stand still and watch your God fight for you so that you can hold your peace. No need to fret. No need to worry. No need to be afraid. The Lord your God will fight for you!
