Clearing-the-Fog

         What is it that makes trusting God so incredibly difficult?  And I’m talking about as believers in Christ.  We trust God for our salvation, but then we go into some kind of brain freeze and we struggle to trust God with the day to day conduct of our lives.  And when difficulties come or challenges present themselves, we whine and complain, fret and sweat.  Why is it we can’t relax and trust God who loves us and cares so intimately for us?

         In so many ways, we are no better off than the children of Israel who had experienced the miraculous delivery of God out of bondage in Egypt.  We pick up the story in Exodus 14.  The Israelites have been summarily kicked out of Egypt by Pharaoh after God wreaked havoc on the Egyptians.  Pharaoh’s orders were to get out of Egypt immediately – don’t pass go, don’t collect $200 – just get out of Egypt.

         But then comes a change of mind by Pharaoh.  He assembles  his troops and sets out to capture the Israelites and bring them back to Egypt.  The bigger problem facing the children of Israel is the fact that they find themselves backed up to a large body of water.  And you guessed it – they begin to complain and whine, fret and sweat.

Exodus 14:10-14 (NLT) – “As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD, ¹¹ and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? ¹² Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

         Here they are – they have just witnessed the amazing deliverance from Egypt by not just one miraculous plague, not two, not five, or seven, but 10 plagues that devastated Egypt.  You would think that they would have it figured out by now – “well, here’s another opportunity for God to show Himself strong!” 

         As we look at our own lives, we can recall time and time again that God came through on our behalf.  Most of us have a history of God’s faithfulness in our life. 

         But then some challenge occurs, some trouble arises, some bad news crops up and we forget all about all God has done in our life. 

         It is at times like that, that we need our own Moses to speak some tough words of wisdom into our ear.  Numbers 14:13 –  But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.  ¹⁴ The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

         Moses gave the people three instructions – don’t be afraid.  God had already demonstrated His power in the face of all of Pharaoh’s fearsome bluff.  They didn’t need to fear – God was more powerful than the problems they faced.

         Second – stand still and watch.  Often is fearful situations the temptation is to run.  When we run, we risk missing out on seeing what God can and will do. 

         Finally – be still, just stay calm.  How easy it is to complain, while, and keep criticizing others.  To do so doesn’t help ease the situation.  Folks, unbelief complains, but faith obey and as a result God is glorified.

         Here in verse 14 is a promise for today.  As believers we need to rest securely in these great words – “The Lord Himself will fight for you.”  What is it that Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us.”  I don’t know what you will face this week, but I can assure you – The Lord Himself will fight your battles for you.  Just trust in His unfailing care and love over you.