Our Abilities, Our Influence, Our Resources...Poor Substitute for God...

Life has a way of making of providing plenty of opportunities to worry, fear, doubt, and even panic. For most of us, when our back is up against the wall the first thing we do is to look to our abilities, influence, and resources to get us out of the fix.

However, as children of the living God, He calls us to look to Him to provide everything we need. But is God enough? Does He really understand our circumstances? Is He able to do the seemingly impossible even when we see no way out, no way forward, and no way to endure?

The Israelites found themselves in such a situation. After God afflicted the Egyptians with great plagues of various kinds and Pharaoh and the Egyptians saw in one night all their firstborns die, the Egyptians pleaded with the Israelites to leave. On their way out of Egypt, the Egyptians even gave them silver and gold as an extra incentive to get out. Then God gave the Israelites cloud cover by day in the desert and a fire by night to guide them on their journey.

It was a big change for the Israelites, freedom vs slavery, but God had shown himself very powerful on their behalf. He proved to them that he had heard their prayers for deliverance over the last 430 years and that He was providing safe passage to a future that was beyond anything they could imagine. I bet their faith in God was at an all-time high and the scriptures say they "were marching out boldly." Exodus 14:8

However, God told Moses to encamp near the sea and once Pharaoh heard this, God hardened his heart, and Pharoah engaged his entire army to go after the Israelites to take them captive again. What a difference a day can make, now they found themselves caught in the open desert with their backs against the sea and their faces towards an advancing army. Now I'm sure you are familiar with the story but how did these bold Israelites react when they saw the clouds of dust in the distance caused by over "six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt" about to engulf them?Ex 14:7

Surely they remained bold. After all they had seen some of the most supernatural signs of the power of God ever demonstrated to men up until that time and since. Surely the gold in their pockets and the fire that led their path at night were more than enough proof that God would make a way out and protect them. Unfortunately, after all God had done, all God had proven to them, and all God had provided the scriptures say:

"As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?' What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?' It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" Exodus 14:10-12

My friend, this sounds familiar does it not? How often do we as children of God fix our eyes on our circumstances, forget God's past faithfulness, and when our back is up against the wall in some seemingly impossible situation we panic? How many times do we complain about the obstacles & challenges instead of looking at them as opportunities to see God demonstrate His power? Most of us instead of looking to God, start looking to our abilities, our resources, and our resources. Yet we are so so limited and God is waiting for us to look to Him.

He is unlimited. He knows as the old hymn says "a thousand ways to make a way" for us. He is never surprised by our seemingly impossible circumstances. After all, He is the God of the impossible. Yet even when the Israelites could say they've seen God on many occasions accomplish what most believed was impossible or we could say the same how is it that man is naturally bent to fear instead of faith?

My friend wherever you find yourself today let's encourage ourselves! Our faith and experience with God over the years tell us that our seemingly impossible situations are no match for the Almighty. He can make a way where there seems to be no way. We must remember His past faithfulness, cling to His promises, be bold, demonstrate faith, obey God, stop looking at our limited abilities, and fix our eyes on God who is unlimited. Moses's word to the people is a great word for us..

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:13-14

What seemingly impossible circumstance faces you today friend? Is it a financial crisis that seems impossible to overcome? Is it a fractured relationship that seems impossible to heal? Is it a job change that God is prompting you to make that seems impossible? Is it a tragedy or hurt that seems impossible to heal from? Is it an addiction or the chains of anxiety that seem impossible to break? Is it a disappointment that seems impossible to understand & move forward from? What is it?

Fear is a liar. Faith is the answer. God demands that we trust Him. He is enough! He does understand our circumstances. We have only to be courageous, stand firm, and be still as we watch God take our seemingly impossible circumstances and make a way where there seems to be no way. Because with Him, He promises “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Whatever comes our abilities, our influence, and our resources are a poor substitute for God.

‘Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.’ Isaiah 43:19

Blog inspired by one of my favorite sermons of all time.."When Things Seem Impossible" by Charles Stanley.. you can find it on You Tube