"The Lord will fight for you, just stay calm."
Exodus `4:14
Sunday it came into my vision in yet another image shared.
Sunday it came into my vision in yet another image shared.
Where are we going with this God? Through prayer and meditation I have come to understand that putting aside the natural/physical of this staying calm and resting business, there is much more to grasp. Where do we fight from? A place of fear or a place of victory? Who fights with us? And who fights for us?
So Sunday morning I started doing a little google research to see what others had to say about this verse. Tony Evans, pastor and evangelist, had a good article on the topic. He talked about the story in Exodus 14 where Moses was preparing the people to cross the Red Sea. Pharaoh and his soldiers were coming behind them and Israel looked to be cornered. BUT GOD....... When Moses trusted God to fight their battle, the Red Sea parted. Think about this. It divided. Come with me and see it......Water on either side of Israelites high above their heads.....held back by some invisible force...by GOD. How frightened they must have been to walk into what looked like certain death. Did they then realize how powerful their God was?! They must have turned to Him as the earth shook, the water rose, and everything in the natural had to give way for the supernatural! They learned quickly that no battle is too big for God. And to watch Pharaoh's men drown in that same sea, shouts of victory must have filled the sky. Proverbs 21:31 tells us "Victory rests with the Lord!"
I recall a true story about a man named Mike Hesch who had a huge cancerous tumor on his chest. He believed God wanted him well, and he did everything he could to make that happen. Continual prayers, laying on of hands, scriptures read and spoken, commanding, asking, rebuking. After years of this he was no better and the tumor was growing. He then came to the understanding that he had done all he could and needed to just rest assured in knowing that God would take over the battle. The price had been paid on the cross and he, Mike, needed to just trust what he knew to be true. Sometimes we need to fight hard against hell, and others times we need to trust God to fight for us. As he lay on his sofa resting it came to him, "What do well people do?" He got up and went and washed the windows that day. Thus began his journey to complete healing. Could this be a good example of Exodus 14:14?
My tendency when I receive a verse like this over and over is to lean to the idea...."what is God preparing me for now?!" Do I need to get armor ready like Xena, warrior princess? Not the best thinking......my excuse is all we have been through. It kinda keeps me living on alert. But I don't believe this is God's intention here. Let me repeat. This is not God's intention.
The Christian life is often presented as a battle. It is also an inbuilt part of many of our natures. In truth, there are plenty of battles we fight as we experience all life has to offer.....and all the enemy brings against us. We may be battle ready like Xena as we face each day, but maybe we need to consider that one of the best ways we fight our battles is when we rest in God and trust Him to fight for us. When we stand firm from a place of peace instead a place of fear we are making it hard for the enemy, that ol' deceiver, to make headway against us. Trusting God gives us the peace to declare, the joy of the Lord is our strength. Victory is the Lord's! Sometimes we just need to hand God our sword and rest awhile.
I'm not sure what lies behind God soaking me in this scripture, but I am embracing it. The love that covers me every time it shows up. The peace that comes to the surface when I declare it aloud. The joy I feel knowing how much Papa loves me. I receive it like a warm blanket, like a sword in my hand, like shoes of peace on my feet
1 comment:
Powerful post, especially for me today. Had the bone scan and it was so easy and interesting. As the camera went over my body head to toe, worship songs kept coming to mind-Jesus Lamb of God and others. I did find out that several things can cause my enzymes to be high-one of which is an infection. That calmed my spirit. NO matter what comes when I head the results in a day or two-God is for me, who can be against me. He has ordained my days and made my lot secure. His strength is perfected in my weakness(which at times consumes me). Trusting Him, He's got me in the palm of His hand. Thank you dear one for your prayers, I'm praying that the scan is clear or something minor-but He holds me. I'll let you know when I know.
Hugs, love and prayers.
Noreen
Post a Comment