From Salem Chapel “Grapevine” newsletter:
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It’s not for Me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is by product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own!
But I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me.
God said….Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
1. Introduction:
What a redundancy package God provided for His people! The account of the Exodus of the Israelites shows God really did it for them in style! Psalm 105:37 says “He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold”. Surely slaves have never been given such wealth from their former masters.
Although this happened thousands of years ago, reading what God did for Israel still has meaning for us. His word is still relevant for His people today. Better still God cannot merely do for you over and over again what He has done in the past ~ He will do more! God is able to turn things around for you. You may be going through an impossible situation at this time. One where Pharaoh has been forcing you to make bricks without straw and there’s no clear way out. The enemy refuses to let you go. Especially to something better, like a land flowing with milk and honey!
2. Turning Things Around
Even in such confusing and trying circumstances God is there! He is in control. You know God tells us “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”. (Isaiah 55:8). We may not understand what is happening or how it’s all going to work out. But what God has in mind to do will happen. When it’s time for you to go you will be going! It may take some time. But God’s word will not return to Him empty.
Take heart from the French sceptic Voltaire; he wrote and spoke often against Christianity. He boasted, “In twenty years Christianity will be no more. My single hand shall destroy the edifice it took twelve apostles to rear”. Yet a few months after his death, the very house in which he printed his tracts and books became a warehouse for the Geneva Bible Society, from which copies of Scripture made their way across the globe.
3. Fulfilling the Promise
Before the Exodus actually happened God had told Moses exactly what would occur in advance. When He spoke to Moses in the burning bush God promised that He would make the Egyptians favourably disposed towards Israel, so that when they left they would not go empty~handed. In fact God told Moses that “every woman is to ask her neighbour and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians”. (Exodus 3:21). God always fulfils His promises.
4. Motivation ~ We do because
Look closely at this scripture! “I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt” (Exodus 13:8). The world we live in pursues power, recognises achievement, physical strength and beauty, and craves riches and success. Everything revolves around getting, keeping and adding to these temporary things. But our motivation should be because of what the Lord has done for us. We gladly do things out of love and gratitude to Him not because we have to or are forced to, but because we can’t resist the One who gave so much and has done so much for us.
5. The Greatest Reversal of All ~ The Gospel
The greatest example of God turning things around has to be Resurrection Day! I don’t think anyone watching the crucifixion of Jesus could have ever imagined that they would see Him again. But God always has the last word! Can I ask you to take time today to think about what Jesus did for you, for me? Yes He did die on the cross for our sins, but He’s alive today, waiting for you. He wants everyone to be safe in His kingdom. Don’t miss an opportunity today without making a commitment to the King of kings and Lord of Lords. He is waiting oh so patiently for you.
6. Receive in Order to Give
Just as God blessed the Israelites so He showers us with gifts. We can store them, abuse them, or use them to bless. The choice is ours.
It wasn’t too long after their journey out of Egypt that some used the gold God provided to make a golden calf to worship and bow down to. Yet others willingly gave their treasures for building the tabernacle and all its precious furnishings. We too have been given gifts, talents and blessings from God. Lets use them wisely, to bless others, to extend the kingdom whenever and wherever we can.
7. What are our Children Asking?
“In days to come when your son asks you, “What does this mean? say to him “With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery”. (Exodus 13:14).
Our children should be asking us why we do things too! So we can tell them of the Lord’s goodness to us. By being an example they can learn by our lives, our choices, our words and actions. So that when we have finished the race marked out for us we can pass the baton to the next generation. So that the fire will never die.
Conclusion
With a God Who loves to do the impossible so no one can boast, He loves to choose the weak things of this world ~ that us friends! To display His power, His strength and His glory through us.
Let the weak say I am strong! Let the poor say I am rich. Because of what the Lord has done.
