Set-Up For a Miracle

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

Today's Passage: Exodus chapter 5
Memory Verse: Exodus 7:5

There's a phenomenon in the believer's life that many avoid talking about, especially to brand new converts to the faith. It's this crazy thing that happens the instant we say no to the world and yes to God's way. We know that our lives were a miserable mess before Christ; a huge load is lifted off of our shoulders when we finally roll everything over on His. But as soon as we accept Christ's invitation to live forever, a different kind of hell breaks loose. This opposition is twofold in that the enemy launches it against us, while God allows it. But why?

It's this same kind of opposition experienced by the children of Israel, who knew firsthand the reality of oppression as they slaved under their Egyptian taskmasters. The irony of their situation was that their ancestors actually CHOSE to live in Egypt, where they had been invited to live as honored guests because of Joseph. So their oppressive treatment may have been especially bitter. But when Moses introduced them to the idea that the I Am was coming to deliver them, what they thought was harsh treatment became a thousand times worse.

Like we would do, Moses went back to God and asked the question, "Why have you brought trouble to us? Since I did what You required, Pharaoh has done nothing but evil to them.". Why would a God Who supposedly loves us expose us to such evil? Does He find some sick pleasure in our discomfort? Or is there some ulterior motive that He wants to use to bring about a greater purpose? This is the primary course in "trial by fire" that all God's children must endure.

How can God show Himself as the Strong Deliverer He promises to be if there's no deliverance? How does He rescue us from a real enemy that is only imaginary? Being God, He plans the whole thing ahead of time, then plays it back in OUR time in such a way that it feels as if it's never happened before. To us, it seems that failure is the only option, but in actuality the enemy gets so overconfident that he shows his whole hand. That's when our Hero, Who knew the whole time that He would scatter His enemies like dust, moves in for the kill and brings us out with a high hand. And the purpose is finally revealed to us: so that ALL will see and know that our God is God. In the midst of your "trial by fire", we pray that you stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, and allow His glory to be revealed in and through you.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for loving me enough to expose me to situations that force me to walk by faith and grow out of the self- dependency we are so used to. In this setup for a miracle, I release all fear and cling completely to You. I have no other choice but to trust that You are in full control. May Your purpose be revealed to its fullest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.