It is really easy for us to say that we trust God when things are doing well. Feeling blessed kasi tau, anu pa ba hahanapin natin kung lahat naman ng sarap at saya sa mundo eh ibinigay na sa yo. But when we are in a tough situation or when we feel like God is not answering all our petitions we lose faith in His power to come through us and we even asked “natutulog ba ang Diyos???”
I remember when our Pastor asked me to share about the Wilderness of the Sea. I started the discussion with these verses.
Exodus 14 (NIV)
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this.
God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of being slave in Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land.
But as of the people of Israel came to the red sea they became angry. A mountain to one side, an open dessert and at the same time they are being followed by the Egyptians from their behind. No way of escape. They are losing hope and they questioned Moses as to why he took them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness and what God’s plan to them is.
Moses spoke to the people’s fear and told them to look ahead and see what God is about to do
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| Exodus 14:21-29 |
God told Moses to use his rod and stretch his hand across the sea. As Moses obeyed, the sea parted and Israelites went through. After that the water returned to the land and all of the Egyptians were destroyed. When the Israelites saw what God did on their behalf despite of their grumbling they trusted in Him even more.
This is an ideal story for us to better understand why the Isrealites need to trust God. Why WE should trust Him.
Consider ourselves as Israelites..
As soon as we found ourselves in a tough spot, we started to complain and questioned whether God would take care of us, where is God, does he love us, why we need to live in despair why we need to experience pain and suffering. What is his reason why he allows bad things to happen?
When we feel that we are boxed in by our circumstances we sometimes long for the comfort of the things we know. Even if those things were what we have been running from. We know that God can do anything but as our circumstance overwhelms us we sometimes lose sight of his power.
God wants us to trust Him and keep our faith during this time, even before we see the way out.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
He reminds us that he will never allow us to face any challenges alone. He is always there with a way of escape. Don’t be anxious, there’s nothing to fear about. Unseen but surely He is with us. He has a lot of distinctive, unnoticed ways to help us and to deliver his love to his people.
Psalm 9:9-10 (NIV)
9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
God has not changed and the same power he used to the people of Israel is working on our behalf. He will be our strength when we are weak.
We need to keep in mind that God has no limitations and he can do anything. He is the only one who knows our heart desire and what is best for us. All we have to do is to follow him, obey his command and have faith on Him. Believe on Him. Trust on Him.
Don’t lose hope!
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
No need for us to grumble what we need to do is to look ahead, pray to him, and ask for his guidance. Doing these things takes us ahead from any evils, enemies and appalling circumstances, helps us to focus on the solution which is in God. Come to think of it if the people of Israel did not focus on what Moses was doing they would miss one of the God’s greatest miracles to them and they wouldn’t know the real meaning of freedom and will be slave forever in Egypt.
If we are able to see the power of God in our lives we have to look ahead and trust God. Looking ahead speaks of hope, it is not just knowing that we can trust God, but believing that He will work things out on our behalf.
God’s promised to us: HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US.. Hebrews 13:5
GOD BLESS US ALL :)
