Encouragement

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by Maya Logo
04/12/22
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It was dark, the darkest it had ever been. That was no accident. Every step was purposefully directed but all the possible outcomes seemed to spell disaster. That was the situation Moses faced. God told him to get up, take the people and camp by the sea. They were denied freedom again and again. Then, triumphantly, their oppressors gave them parting gifts. They were free. Their excitement and awe were short lived. Their oppressors followed them. They were there to force them back into slavery. Worse yet, God directed them to a place that left them trapped between their oppressor and a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. But Moses was prepared. God told him Pharoah would think his circumstance meant he was confused and lost. Here is the story from Exodus 14:

1Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses: 2“Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon. 3Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’ 4And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you.a I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” So the Israelites camped there as they were told.

Have you ever been there? After following God’s direction you do not appear to be moving forward. Honestly, it looks like you’re going in reverse. I can relate. I was, thankfully, divorced almost ten years ago following a year long legal separation from the toxic relationship. That marked the beginning of being able to see. For years I was told what to think and feel, stripped of myself. I had a reality constructed for me that denied what I knew to be true, I was trapped by a person who controlled perceptions of normalcy internally and externally. The release meant I could breathe. I could say no to abuse, misuse, betrayal, false accusations, blame, etc. The dark night of that marriage was a continuation of a life pushing past lies, abuse, betrayals, hurts and attacks that left me hollow and raw. I became aware of how desperately I needed the freedom that God gave me. It was like a sharp pain that awakens you to the fact that you have been wounded. Similarly, there was Moses was worn down by the constant harassment of the people. They were short-sighted and panicked, nostalgically rehearsing their enslavement.

He proclaimed freedom in spite of a circumstance that repeatedly denied its manifestation. Every time his declaration fell flat I imagine the people responding with angst and anger toward Moses. When things finally looked like they were turning around catastrophic disaster overshadowed them. “We should have never hoped for more,” the people cried. The temptation to return to slavery was strong. Slavery was not easy but familiar. They knew how to manage under the oppression despite being diminished by it. A story that moves from abuse to abuse creates a tendency to wander back to more of the same when things are unfamiliar. What they were facing deprived them of any and all control over their circumstances. They were forced to be completely reliant on God.

In the midst of all the looming chaos God reminds Moses that the story does not end beside the sea. They were not destined to stay trapped between their oppressors and obstacles to the promise. Many accounts in the bible encourage us not to measure our prospects by what we see. God wants us to let what he says ground and inspire our outlook. David says it this way:

“Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles (Psalm 119:50, New Living Translation).”

We can trust God’s plan is good. He has not set you up for disaster and when you are surrendered to him he will not allow you to set yourself up for it either.

“God is not man, one given to lies, and not a son of man changing his mind.
Does he speak and not do what he says? Does he promise and not come through?(Numbers 23:19, The Message Bible)

The truth is that what we think is the end is actually a beginning. The pain is pronouncing birth, new life. My divorce made a way for me to begin again. It created the opportunity for me to grow into the woman God created me to be. It opened the door for me to meet a man who will find value in who I am and add to that value.

Is your situation screaming defeat? Let God’s promise inform your hope. This hardship was intended to deepen your relationship with him and be a banner for all to see his love and power. He does not have defeat in his plan for you. There is no trouble that he has in store for you (Numbers 23:21). His end will declare his glory and establish your peace.

Lyrics from Daniel Gokey’s “The Comeback”

Just cause you lay low, got up slow, unsteady
Don’t mean you blacked out or bought out you’re ready
Just when they think there’s nothing left, running on empty
Here comes the comeback

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