Exodus 17

“Is the Lord among us or not?” (Verse 7)

That question, asked by a weary, thirsty group of God’s people, stayed with me all day today. I thought of the variations asked by other people in Scripture.

“Don’t you care, Lord?” (Luke 10:40)

“Where were you, Lord?” (John 11:21)

“When will you answer me, Lord?” (Habakkuk 1:2)

“Have you forgotten me, Lord?” (Psalm 13:1)

I thought of variations I have asked myself.

Do you see me, Lord?

Do you hear me, Lord?

Where are you, Lord?

Am I still yours, Lord?

But, truthfully, I know the answers. I know the enemy loves to plant seeds of despair and feelings of isolation. So, I have to flip the script.

It’s not – do you see me, Lord. It becomes, “Lord, help me to see you.”

It’s not – do you hear me, Lord. Instead, “Lord, could I just hear from you?”

It’s not – where are you – but, Lord, would you show yourself?

Not – am I yours – but, “Lord, it is so good to be yours.”

Our thoughts matter. Our word choices matter. If we are consumed with thoughts that do not produce love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faith, and self control – those thoughts do not come from the Holy Spirit and need to be taken captive (2 Corinthians 10:5.)

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Exodus 16

Raise your hand if you’re still journeying through Exodus with me! 🙋‍♀️

The children of Israel were about a month and a half removed from slavery in Egypt. God then said that he was going to “test them, whether they will walk in my law or not” (verse 4.) He was testing their obedience. And how did he do it? By raining down bread from heaven.

The Lord tested the people’s faithfulness by showering them with provisions. Would they use the resources God provided in the way that God prescribed? And…no, they did not.

What blessings has God rained down on us?

Talents.

Time.

Finances.

Education.

Creativity.

Health.

Home.

Are we walking according to God’s law and are we using the blessings he has rained down on us in a manner that brings him glory and furthers his kingdom?

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Exodus 15

This chapter opens with a celebration! The sea had been parted. The people had been protected. The Lord was being praised.

Then, the people are led three days into the wilderness. When they couldn’t find water, they began to grumble and complain.

Can you imagine it?

Day 1 – The journey began and the people were elated. They just watched the Red Sea part on their behalf. Perhaps they were still humming the song of praise as they began walking.

Day 2 – “Is anyone else thirsty? Are we there yet? For crying out loud, is someone humming??”

Day 3 – Grumble. Grumble. Grumble.

How quickly we forget what the Lord has already done for us and what he is capable of doing for us now.

Lord, when we are disturbed by our current view, help us to remember what we’ve seen you do.

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Exodus 14

Fear and faith. It’s a constant battle for many of us.

The people had been delivered from slavery and thought it would then be smooth sailing. Instead, they found themselves being chased by the same old enemy. Who can relate?

You think you have conquered that tendency to worry and, suddenly, there it is again.

You thought you kicked that bad habit but, out of the blue, the old urging shows up.

Maybe it’s an old hurt that you were certain was healed but someone says something and the wound feels fresh.

When the children of Israel faced their old enemy – Pharaoh and the Egyptians – they feared greatly (verse 10.) They began crying out to the Lord and God’s response spoke loudly to me today.

“Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.” (Verse 15)

Fear makes us freeze.
Faith moves us forward.

See, the people already knew what to do. They had been told where to camp. But they were paralyzed with fear. They just needed the reminder to take another step. To keep moving forward. To just do the next thing.

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Exodus 13

Imagine celebrating deliverance from the hardest season of your life only to find yourself camped out on the edge of the wilderness.

You have been delivered (verse 3.)

You have been promised delight (verse 5, 11.)

But, at this moment, you’re somewhere in between (verse20.)

The reality is that this is where we find ourselves. We, as followers of Christ, have been set free from our sin, shame, and the things that formerly enslaved us. We have the hope of heaven, the promise of glory, and the certainty of eternity with God.

But, at this moment, we are somewhere in between.

And it’s difficult to live in between.

But the same God that walked day and night with the children of Israel through the wilderness (verse 22) walks with us.

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