WORD
Circumstances: Those situations, events, people, places, and seeming fixtures change at the word of the Lord. The worlds were ordered by the rhema of God. Each facet of our existence was put in its place by His personal decree. God ordained the good works in which we now serve before He said, “Let there be light.”
He had you in mind. He appointed good things for you; but sometimes they don’t feel so good when you walk through them. It can feel like you are between two walls that, if released, could destroy you. You are walking a narrow path toward an unseen destination. Seeking safety, or at least the end of the experience, you press in to press on. You persevere in your present path. You dispel fear by recounting Jesus’ endurance of the cross. You offload emotional baggage to lighten your load, for the path feels like you are plodding through sand.
Those around you have never been to the destination, so they cannot encourage you in the way. Leadership assures you that this narrow way is the way to escape the enemy; but there is some question of their abilities. Yet, step by step, you press on. You are walking in a centuries-old promise that there is a beautiful place at the end of your journey, and each step brings you closer to it. Perhaps a city whose builder and maker is God.
Circumstances had changed for the Hebrews. They had gathered offerings from their neighbors and headed out to worship the Lord. Moses, hearing from God, had led them to a seaside location, and they had camped; but the cloud and the pillar had changed place so that the Egyptian army that was following them was in darkness, and they were in light. God had changed their situation. (Ex. 14:19–20)
Pharaoh, who had blessed their journey, had suddenly had a change of heart and sent 600 chariots to capture and kill them. The situation seemed worse than captivity. (Ex. 14:12)
Moses had lifted up the rod, and the sea had parted, but now they had to walk between the walls. They had to follow a pathway that had no known distance, without knowing what was on the other side.
Faith comes from hearing the rhema. Moses had told them the directive and assuring word for the moment, and he had lifted the rod, and they were to follow. The parting of the water confirmed the word to them, and they stepped from the shore onto the dry sand and rushed forward. (Ex. 14:15)
Some say they walked six miles, and others 11. Some say the water was shallow, and others say it was deep. All agree, they made it to the other side. God watches over His word to perform it. The word of God which He sends will accomplish the purpose for which it is sent. God said they would make it, and they did.
Moses’ faith made the way possible, and their faithful following completed the journey, though circumstances at the time seemed impossible. God’s ways are much higher than ours, for He knows His word is steadfast and sure, and He will accomplish our deliverance from the oppressor.
And Pharaoh and the 600 chariots? Gone. Not so much as one of them remained. (Ex. 14:28)
Press on. Stay the course. Don’t look to the left or the right; but press in to the promise of God. Extend yourself fully to attain the promise, and when it is in your hand, don’t let go. God will bring you to the other side.
Mark