19/04/2016
Those who wait and have faith in the Lord God are winners:
Imagine the situation Moses and Aaron were facing as ambassadors of God before Pharaoh. Over and over, Pharaoh denied their request to let God's people go. Even worse... Pharaoh would comply with Moses' and Aaron's request, only to change his mind shortly after.
The criticism they must have faced from the Israelites, especially after Pharaoh made their work harder by forcing them to make bricks without straw. Moses' plan didn't look like a winning strategy at that point.
But you know what Moses and Aaron did? They didn't give up and they didn't lose faith (entirely)... they kept listening to the voice of the LORD and followed His instructions. Slowly but surely... whether Moses and Aaron knew it or not.. God's plan was unfolding for one of the most miraculous events recorded in the Bible.
In one single night, the Israelites situation turned around and they were free. The same thing could be right around the corner for you as well. That is how fast God can move. I know it seems like the struggle is never ending. As though there is no reason to keep going against the resistance you are experiencing.
Right now, we are in what I consider to be, one of the most spiritually exhausting times of the year... the few weeks right before Passover. I believe there is a tremendous amount of spiritual warfare coming against those who are laborers for the Kingdom of God right now. I know because I am experiencing it myself.
Make no mistake about it.. YOU are a laborer for the Kingdom of God. YOU are a citizen of heaven. YOU are God's answer for a dying and lost world. YOU are a part of His plan.
Don't feel discouraged. You made it this far already and it would be a shame to give up now. I know this is hitting a cord in you right now, because deep down in your spirit, you know that giving up isn't a real option any way. There is a drive within you that refuses to stay where you are. Encourage that part of yourself, because that is the part of you where faith and action merge.
This is a marathon... its not a sprint. Its long and grueling sometimes. The finish line isn't always in sight. Your endurance is being challenged.
There are two things that I want you to keep in mind...
In the physical land of Israel, the difference between harsh desert and lush paradise is sometimes divided by a narrow two lane road. Your destination can appear very quickly if you keep moving forward. Don't give up just before you cross over.
When you are in the valley, there is vegetation, shade, soft grass, and perhaps even a gentle brook. It's nice in the valley because that is where the water runs through. When you are on the mountain top, the natural environment is harsh. Its cold. Windy. Dry. BUT that is where you will experience God.
Keep going. You never know how close your desert-like journey will be over. You never know if the next mountain range you climb will lead you to your next lush, green valley.
In Exodus 12:31-32,36, the breakthrough Moses and Aaron were waiting for came.
"31 And he (Pharaoh) called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also....
36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians."
There must have been and electricity in the air with the feeling of anticipation and exhilaration. Their God delivered exactly what He promised! They were about to walk out of Egypt a free people, with plunder from their former masters, and were returning to the land of father, Abraham.
This wasn't by chance though. This wasn't an accident or a happy random series of events. It took FAITH and it took ACTION on the part of Moses and the Hebrews. (Ignore what you may be feeling. Your feelings can betray and mislead you when it comes to matters of faith.) Specifically, the outcome came to 3 things.
Timing.
Faith.
Obedience.
Passover is your time of favor.
Faith is your evidence of things unseen.
Obedience will usher in your blessing.
