Rescue

“But Moses told the people, 'Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!'" Exodus 14:13-14

"What? ... Where in the world did that come from?" False accusations are troubling to us aren't they. As we all have, I've heard some whoppers over the years. One ministry friend was arrested at a park during his prayer and Bible study time because someone accused him of being a flasher. All charges were dropped as fraudulent, but still. When I've been attacked, my knee jerk is to want to strike back and defend myself. What about you?

The people of Israel were in trouble. An attack was imminent. As a recently freed nation of slaves, they were in no position to fight. So they did what came natural ... panic! God led them to this very real position of helplessness to teach them to turn to him in trust in all circumstances even when they might not feel so helpless. He wanted to teach them to resist the temptation to defend themselves. Self salvation is a deal breaker in God's economy. 

God told the Israelites that they would not have to lift a finger in their defense. The world tells us that we should lift a fist. Jesus says to turn the other cheek. Peter tells us this about Jesus, "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." What's the pattern of our lives? Ultimately, we have to decide. Do we want our rescue or do we want God's?

Grace and Peace,

Tom

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