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By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27
The first time he left Egypt, Moses ran in fear and disgrace. He was a success story from the beginning. Hidden in some weeds by his mother to escape the brutal murder that thousands of other baby boys did, he was welcomed into the house of Pharaoh and rose to the top of Egyptian leadership.
But now, having murdered an Egyptian for beating one of his fellow Israelites, he ran for his life into the desert. Afraid, alone and no doubt feeling very defeated.
One day, years later, Moses was tending sheep when he saw a bush erupt into flames. This wasn’t uncommon in the noon day heat of the wilderness. Sometimes a bush would burst into flames and burn up for no apparent reason. This bush, however, didn’t burn up and Moses stopped what he was doing to gain a closer look.
God used the burning bush to call Moses back into service for him. Even though he had murdered a man and left in disgrace, God still had a plan for Moses. God sent Moses back to Egypt with courage to accomplish what God wanted him to do.
Moses courageously returned to Egypt and demanded that the king let his people go. The King refused until, after many miracles and plagues, the King and all the people of Egypt begged the Israelites to leave their land. They even loaded down the people with gifts and livestock for their journey into the wilderness.
Like Moses, each of us has times when we flee into the wilderness. We’ve failed at some point in our lives. We’ve made bad decisions that have hurt others, destroyed our careers or damaged our reputations. We live in fear, guilt or remorse always wondering how life would be different if we’d made a better decision here or there.
With God, failure isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of new and exciting opportunities to live for God. Once in the wilderness God had Moses in a position where God could speak to him, teach him and send him back to Egypt to be victorious. No matter what has happened in your life God wants to do the same for you.
Where ever you are on the journey of life don’t forget to look for the burning bush. Look for things that God is bringing into your life to teach you, guide you and empower you. No matter what you have done in life, no matter how angry or bitter or afraid you are God wants to take you from the wilderness you are in and help you succeed.
Don’t be afraid of the future. Once Moses saw the burning bush he realized that God could accomplish anything. Draw close to God. Moses spoke face to face with God, just as you can through prayer. Moses heard what God had to say to him, just as you can through reading the Bible and meditating on what He has to say to you.
Keep your eyes focused on what you can’t see! As a Christ-follower, remember that God is with you through His Holy Spirit. You are never alone. You are never unseen. In fact scripture tells us that God’s angels are everywhere, protecting us, guiding us and watching over us with the same love and admiration that God Himself has. We won’t know until we get to heaven how many times an angel has intervened to save us.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father. I thank you for the example we have in Moses of how you can use anyone to accomplish your tasks, no matter what terrible and evil things we have done. Right now, I’m living in a wilderness. I’m afraid of the future, ashamed of my past and unable to live the way I want to in the present. I ask that you would help me to see the unseen. To live realizing that You have given me everything I need for today so that I can live in victory. Give me the courage of Moses to be strong in You. Amen.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28:6a
Life can take turns we don’t expect. Sometimes those turns blindside us, catching us off guard and forcing us off the main road onto some narrow and treacherous wilderness path.
Relationships fail. Friends and family we always thought we could count on abandon us or alienate us because they feel betrayed or are apathetic to our pain. Lovers we thought would always be there for us change their minds and look for a ‘better offer’. Careers once thought secure go down in smoke.
Sometimes the biggest disappointments in life come from our own failures. Try as we might, we can’t kick the addictions. We struggle with lust. We want, so we spend money we don’t have to get what we don’t need and find ourselves buried in the canyons of debt.
Like the Apostle Paul, our life battle cry seems to be, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:15 (NLT) We strive so hard to be faithful, but worry and doubt when God doesn’t do what we were hoping He’d do. We try to be Christ-like in thoughts and words and deeds until that person, our nemesis, attacks us again and we retaliate. And with each brick of failure we build a wall that imprisons us and keeps us from experiencing the fullness of life.
And then, on those days when we aren’t beating ourselves into the ground there are those who are more than willing to point out our failures. They attempt to force us into their molds. They question our faith, our sincerity, our ability…and even our sanity! And we add another brick.
That’s why I believe in Easter. Easter reminds me that all of this isn’t about me. It’s not about the church I attend. It’s not about religious dogma and tradition. It’s not about these distinctives or that doctrine. It’s not about the songs we sing, the instruments we play or the name on the sign on the church I attend. It’s not about my marital status, my bank account, my credit rating or the past mistakes I’ve made. It simply is NOT about me.
Easter, like life itself, is about Jesus. He left Heaven to live among us beggars and show us how to love each other as servants. He died to take the punishment we deserved and by so doing, to make forgiveness available to me. He rose so that someday I can go home to be with Him. I can’t wait. I love the beauty of this world but it’s nothing compared to what waits for me on the other side.
The longer I travel on life’s journey the more I realize that no one; NO ONE understands like Jesus. He has seen me through life’s darkest times. He’s been there when I’ve been abandoned and when I’ve ignored Him. He’s welcomed me back when I’ve rebelled and come back beaten and battered. He is, has been and will be a friend that will never, ever leave me. He’s proven himself to be a friend that is closer than a brother.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus. My friend, my comfort and my protection. On this day, more than any other I’m reminded of how unworthy I am to be able to call You Lord. I bow before you in gratitude for all you have done in my life. For the times You’ve opened your arms to me when I’ve failed and comforted me when others have failed me. Thank you for forgiving my stubborn rebellion. Thank you for giving me second and third and forth chances. Thank you that I am your number one. Your masterpiece. That even though I feel like a failure at times You look on me with pride. Amen.
Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. Isaiah 59:1 (NLT)
Remember when you were growing up and when you were in school? Whenever the ‘adult’ or person in authority questioned your level of attention they would pause and say, “Listen to me!” They said that because they were about to say something of extreme importance and they didn’t want you to miss it.
The people of Israel were in desperate striates spiritually. It seemed like everyone from the religious and spiritual leaders to the common shepherd had made up their own rules about how to worship God, how to follow his ways and what God was going to do for Israel.
Chapter 59 of Isaiah lists all the areas in which the Israelites were falling short. Their society was a mess. There was no such thing as justice. God’s people had gotten so entangled in sin and tradition there was no hope of true worship.
In the midst of Isaiah’s teaching he says (on behalf of the Lord) “LISTEN TO ME!” It’s as though he is a discerning parent. He sees their minds are wandering and they are on information overload. What He is about to tell His people must be heard.
The message to the Israelites and to us is this. Our sin separates us from God. Sin doesn’t separate us from God because He hates us. Sin separates us from God because He hates sin. The good news is that in the midst of our sin God promises that He is strong enough to save you.
We live in horrible times. Families are being torn apart by divorce, violence and emotional and physical abuse. Our ‘justice’ system seems more intent on protecting the special interest groups and punishing the victim. Greed, hatred and anger permeate every part of our world.
God’s message through Isaiah is this. You may have been terribly abused emotionally, physically or spiritually. You may feel like you have been abandoned by family, friends and even God. That simply isn’t true. There is nothing you have done, or nothing that has been done to you that God can not help you through.
Let Him wrap His strong arms of love and forgiveness around you. Talk to Him. Tell Him EXACTLY how you feel. Don’t sugar coat your feelings (He knows anyway). Believe in yourself. Believe that no matter what other people have told you and no matter how you have been treated by other people, you are loved passionately by God. That’s why He sent Jesus to die for you. Trust Him to do a work of healing and to empower you for the battles you face today. His arms are much stronger than any battle you will face. There is nothing that will distract Him from giving you His undivided attention.
PRAYER: Dear God. There are times when I wonder if You can really change things around here. I’m such a mess. I’ve tried so hard to make changes in my life, my attitude and my feelings. Nothing seems to work. Help me to believe that You are strong enough to lift me from this mess and love me enough to want to do that. Forgive me for my part of the mess I’m in and empower me to live completely for you. Amen.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (NLT)
What can separate us from God’s love? The Bible tells us that nothing can separate us from His love. The only thing that stands in the way of a love relationship with God is our sin. Sin separates us from God’s love because God can’t look at sin, not because He doesn’t love us. All of us, no matter who we are or what we believe are God’s creation. He made ALL men (mankind) in His image for the express purpose of having a passionate, fulfilling love relationship with us.
Jesus came to earth to give us a living example of God’s love. He died to pay the penalty for our sin. He rose so that even death would have no power over us. Today He is seated at the right hand of His father pleading our case and reminding the Father that He died for us. He works in us though the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us, protect us and assure us of His love.
What can separate us from His love? If we believe that God is the creator of all things then He is also in control of all things created. He created all we see (the earth, universe, life) and the unseen (the spirit world, fear, doubt, etc.). Therefore He will not allow anything He has created to keep us from His love.
What can separate us from His love? Can our past? Can debt? Can illness? Can political agendas that are anti-God? Can present frustrations and disappointments? NO! The enemy uses these things to try to veil God’s love; to make us question His love, His existence and His forgiveness.
The enemy says, “He can’t forgive you this time. You’ve gone too far. You are nothing but a hypocrite.” The enemy says, “If God is a God of love why is there illness and disaster? If your God is alive and loving this would never happen”
But our Father in heaven has always warned us that in this world we will see adversity. We’ll see hatred and disaster and struggle. He’s told us we’ll struggle with sin and with those intent on destroying us. He’s even warned us that we will be unfaithful at times. But even these things will not separate us from God’s love.
Our attitudes towards God may affect our ability to sense His love for us but they will never affect how much He loves us!
What can separate us from God’s love? Nothing. Nothing you can see. Nothing that is hidden. Not the past, not the future. God loves you and He sent His own Son as proof. Your value comes because of God’s love for you and not because of anything you can do to earn it.
PRAYER: Holy Father. I thank you today for the reminder that there is nothing that separates me from you. I get scared sometimes. I get frustrated with my own feelings of inadequacy to follow you the way I want. I’m angry sometimes at the evil and injustice around me. Even during these times I ask that you would help me to live in constant awareness of your undying, eternal and unending love for me. In the name of my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 