Melting in Fear…Standing Firm in Faith

I woke got up later this morning than I intended and weaker than I anticipated. Yesterday my Kaiser Primary Care Doctor called to let me know that I had another infection and that after consulting with my infectious disease doctor they felt they could treat this one with an oral anti-biotic.

After feeling good all day yesterday, today ended up being more of a lethargic day. I did attend my Rotary meeting and we had a good group. I appreciate all those who came just to see me and hear my report. Christian was helpful to share his perspective. I think I even learned some things. After the meeting I returned to Christian’s home for some rest and was able to drive to the 180 Teen Challenge building. I met two of the staff members. One helped me by driving my car and the other drove a van with some of my belongings from my TC office.

A special treat for the day, was to have Rick and Linda Enstrom stop by on their way home from a Wyoming fishing trip. They have been an encouragement and support and it was great to see them and share on more of a personal level my journey over the last year. It has been good for people to see my progress in spite of some setbacks, but certainly in light of how critical I was for many months.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses…Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. Exodus 14:10-14

It would have been nice if Moses knew how God was going to deliver the people of Israel. He could have said, “Listen everyone this is what is going to happen. We will head to the Red Sea and then I will lift my staff over the water and we will cross it on dry ground. The Egyptians will chase us but they will be drowned in the waters of sea after we safely cross.”

That would have been nice, but that is not how God operates and what faith in God in the midst of the test means. As the exodus took place from Egypt the people followed Moses and God. They did have the physical manifestation of the Lord in the cloud that guided them, yet still when they saw the armies of Pharaoh they caved into fear and retreat.

What is of interest they cried to Moses, they said, we told you to leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians.” If this is the response of the people during the plagues that brought their freedom, it shows how focused that Moses had to be in his confidence in God and his leadership role before the people.

Successful leadership mean that not everyone is on board and not at the same time. However when their is confidence in the direction God is leading it brings confidence even when the leader doesn’t know how God will provide.

Moses told the people, “stand still and see the salvation the Lord.” God said to Moses, “get the people moving!” There was a role of faith for the people to move forward and a step of faith for Moses to raise his staff over the waters. Not everyone received the memo or news flash with the details, they just had to move. They had to follow God and God’s chosen leader.

As the people moved, God moved. God moved to part the waters, and God moved in the form of the cloud that became a pillar of fire that separated and protected God’s people from the armies of Pharaoh.

At times we need to stand firm and see God work a miracle. At other times God is waiting for us to move. To move in faith as He provides the direction and miracle that is needed. Focus and faith in God is needed to know what to do  in a given situation.

When facing challenges and obstacles don’t retreat to old patterns and life styles. Don’t do what is natural, do what is supernatural. Move forward with a focus on the cloud of God’s presence and in faith that God will direct and provide.