Let me ask you something? In the midst of all your current situations and circumstances, whose perspective do you have? Is it yours or Gods?
Let me encourage you that you are not alone. The entire body of Christ is going through the refiner’s fire right now. Gods fire simply comes to devour! We are still in the season of purging! Towards the end of 2015 and up to most of 2016 we were in a season of cleansing. This is the time where God is showing us what it is that He does not approve of in our life. From the end of 2016 and still currently going is a season of purging! Purging is the time where it is time to let go of the things He revealed to us! During purging, the sins are evident and very clear. Since it has come to the “surface” its very clear to all around you because it manifests. Look up the process of refining a bar of gold or silver. The process will help you understand what we are going through in any given purging season. He is calling out to His children to be cleansed and be brought to the level of Holiness that He desires in us. After all, we were made in His image. He is causing the body of Christ to follow what His word says. He is trying to wean us from following our own ways and trying to get us to follow His ways!
This morning as I sat down, the Holy Spirit had me read Exodus 13-14. Have you ever noticed that most of the time when God gives you a direction, it does not make sense to your natural mind? Nine times out of 10 this is the case. This may be the reason you have a hard time making the decision to take that step given by God. Perhaps, this is how you get to find out if you really trust God like you say you do. Saying, “I trust Him”, and actually trusting Him are two totally different things.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
Now, in Exodus 13:17-18 talks about “Israels Wilderness Detour”. Instead of giving the Israelite’s the shortcut to the Promised Land, He took them the longer way. Gods reason per verse 18 was, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
Almost all of us in the body of Christ right now are going through the fire! There are so many difficult situations and circumstances we have suddenly encountered. So, you go into prayer about your situation to seek direction, strategy, clarity, etc. God clearly answers and the answer just doesn’t make sense to you. Well, what if God is taking you through a detour? He won’t always tell you the reason why He wants you to take any given step. He simply wants your obedience and trust in Him.
5″Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
In Exodus 13:21, it says that God went ahead of the Israelite’s and clearly guided them. Do you believe that God goes ahead of you in every situation and circumstance? Do you believe it? In verse 22, it says that the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire in front of the people. Guess what? God does go ahead of you every single time because your provisions are always made ahead of time. Your part is to obey every single direction He gives you whether or not you understand it. You already know you are a child of God and He loves you. You already know that His plans will always succeed over yours. You already know that He can see all the things that you cannot see. Therefore, you should submit to obedience to God no matter what He tells you to do because you know its the best for you. Ask for God to increase your sensitivity to His voice and to the Holy Spirit. Ask God to reveal to you all hindrances and distractions that keep you from hearing His voice clearly. The next thing is, repent of doubting Him.
Now in Exodus 14:1-4, God told Moses exactly where to camp. Gods reason was to confuse the Pharoah and this was all being set up for God to show His glory!
Again, God may give is a direction or strategy that does not make sense at all in the moment. He just wants you to trust Him. For the last couple years, God has been positioning you in a way so He can show His glory! Do you trust Him?
In Exodus 14:9, Pharoah and his army caught up with the Israelite’s and the Israelite’s panicked. The Israelites had no idea what was coming their way and that God was about to reveal His glory for all to see!
This is where I sense many of the people in the body of Christ are at. You have chaos running rampant all around you through sudden unpleasant situations and circumstances. Not only that, but all the intense warfare that we have hit in this season. You don’t know what to do with it and you’re in panic mode.
If you are one that is in panic or anxiety due to your situations, I would like you to know that the root of this is the Spirit of Fear. You need to repent of giving into the spirit of fear, renounce its connection and release it to God under the blood of Jesus.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
God has NOT given you a spirit of fear! You are a child of God and the power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in you!
Moving on to Exodus 14:11-12, the Israelite’s were in panic from fear that they allowed to grip them in that moment.
Perhaps you are doing this at the moment too. It is common to think or say things like, “Why did this have to happen God? Couldn’t it have just been that way instead of this way? How long more Lord? I don’t think I can do this anymore? etc.”
Then in Exodus 14:13-14, Moses told the people not to be afraid and to stand still and watch the Lord rescue them. He also told them, “The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
In this moment, I sense God saying the same thing to us. Just be still knowing God always goes ahead of you. Just be still knowing you don’t have to fight the battle but rather God Himself goes before you to fight for you. Just stay calm.
Now, in Exodus 14:15-16, some action on behalf of Moses and the Israelite’s was needed. God already had a plan in place and now it was time to act! Even God had to tell Moses to stop crying out to Him and tell the people to get moving.
So, you already know God has a plan for you. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Nothing seems to be changing, why could that be? Have you heeded to the step or steps He wants you to take? or are you resisting them?
Take note that even in the Word of God, when one direction was given, that person did not get another direction until that initial one was complete. At least, that is what I have noticed. That one step prepares you for the next step.
Jesus speaks to you and gives you the answer you seeked Him for and your job is to just trust Him and do it. Your provisions in every way has been taken care of and God is already ahead of you carving out your path. It is up to you to walk it or not.
If we do not answer and obey the instructions, then this is why we may feel stuck in a sense. How many times do we hesitate to follow Gods instruction and when we finally do, we wished we would have just trusted God and done it to begin with?
It is important to know that disobedience is a sin. Take the time to also repent of all disobedience to God and renounce its connections. Then release it under the blood of Jesus.
So by faith Moses picked up his staff and raised it in his hand over the sea (vs 16). At that moment the Lord, because He is faithful, opened up a PATH through the water with a strong East wind.
The plan for you is already in place. By faith, I encourage you to take the step(s) that God has already given you. God is absolutely faithful and WILL do His part. He will part the sea for you and you will receive the revelation you need for the path that will show up before you.
“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
If you feel frustrated, know that God is not the author of frustration. Surrender your feelings of frustration to God and ask Him to exchange it for His peace! He will do it!
“4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.[c]
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:4-9
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Prayer:
O Sovereign living God! I lift up the child of God reading right now. I cover this child of God with the blood of Jesus from the tops of their head to the souls of their feet! I ask you Jesus to touch this child of God right now! Release your peace that surpasses all understanding that will guard their heart and mind right now! I decree and declare the entire armor of God upon this child of God, the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, belt of truth and feet covered with the gospel of peace! I come against all the fiery darts of the enemy that has been keeping this child of God from hearing you clearly and from thinking clearly, in Jesus name! I pray this child of God is covered with the fire of the Holy Spirit, right now in Jesus name! Sift and remove anything in their atmosphere right now that is not of you! O Sovereign living God I ask you to reveal to this child of God every sin in their life that you do not approve of so that they may overcome. I pray for you to give your strength to be able to repent before you so that they give no foothold to the devil! For whom the son sets free He sets free indeed! I pray that you release the clarity, strategy, revelation, courage and boldness from you that this child of God needs! I pray that you break off all weariness from battle and refill this child of God with you and your presence to overflow their cup! You anoint his/her head with oil that their cup shall overfloweth! I pray that you will send your Holy Spirit filled children of God to cross their path to speak life unto them according to your Word! O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in all this O God let your glory shine! Activate release command and send forth a host of your Holy Heavenly angels to be with this child of God and to go ahead of them. Release comfort and encouragement that can only come from you. Come do what only you can do O God! To you alone be all the glory, honor, and praise! Everything I have asked, I asked in Jesus name and accept it in no other way but received because you are faithful! Amen!
