9 April 2019
Look Up When You’re Up
Exodus 14:15-16
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
Tell the people to get moving! Get moving? Where? At the that God said these words to Moses, the Israelites were absolutely boxed in by taking the route that God had told them to. Where exactly were they supposed to go all boxed in like that with only a ginormous body of water in front of them? I don’t think it entered their minds that God was going to literally part waters for them, but he did. When Rob was teaching on Sunday, he said, “God often leads his people to a place where he is there only hope.” And the events in Exodus 14 certainly prove this.
God leads his people to a place where he is their only hope... This is a fascinating thought. We’ve heard so many testimonies of people who hit the “bottom” and finally turned to the saving grace of the One True Living God after they had tried every thing and burned every bridge – Jesus was their only option, and he saves. He always saves those who are “boxed in” and their only way out is a way only he can provide. He is always merciful to those who are down and finally look up. He is amazing!
But another truth I have noticed is that we don’t have to just look up when we’re down; we can look up when we’re up! A heart fixed on Jesus is a miracle and a testimony in all shapes and forms. He tells us the following:
1. We can use our money for good.
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.
(1 Timothy 6:17-18)
2. We can use our position for good.
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant... (Matthew 20:25-26)
3. We continue to be guided by his Holy Spirit, not just once, but all the time!
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to (constantly) fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:5)
Thankfully, God makes himself available when we are at our most desperate. And I am equally thankful that he keeps being there, keeps being miraculous, keeps leading us to places where he is our only hope even when we already know he is our only hope.
Dear God,
You are my only hope today. May I not trust in any events or strength I can muster on my own will and will power today. You are my plan A. I don’t want a plan B. You are great and greatly to be praised, so helpful and kind and I am so thankful for your continual presence in my life. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Look Up When You’re Up
Exodus 14:15-16
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
Tell the people to get moving! Get moving? Where? At the that God said these words to Moses, the Israelites were absolutely boxed in by taking the route that God had told them to. Where exactly were they supposed to go all boxed in like that with only a ginormous body of water in front of them? I don’t think it entered their minds that God was going to literally part waters for them, but he did. When Rob was teaching on Sunday, he said, “God often leads his people to a place where he is there only hope.” And the events in Exodus 14 certainly prove this.
God leads his people to a place where he is their only hope... This is a fascinating thought. We’ve heard so many testimonies of people who hit the “bottom” and finally turned to the saving grace of the One True Living God after they had tried every thing and burned every bridge – Jesus was their only option, and he saves. He always saves those who are “boxed in” and their only way out is a way only he can provide. He is always merciful to those who are down and finally look up. He is amazing!
But another truth I have noticed is that we don’t have to just look up when we’re down; we can look up when we’re up! A heart fixed on Jesus is a miracle and a testimony in all shapes and forms. He tells us the following:
1. We can use our money for good.
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.
(1 Timothy 6:17-18)
2. We can use our position for good.
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant... (Matthew 20:25-26)
3. We continue to be guided by his Holy Spirit, not just once, but all the time!
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to (constantly) fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:5)
Thankfully, God makes himself available when we are at our most desperate. And I am equally thankful that he keeps being there, keeps being miraculous, keeps leading us to places where he is our only hope even when we already know he is our only hope.
Dear God,
You are my only hope today. May I not trust in any events or strength I can muster on my own will and will power today. You are my plan A. I don’t want a plan B. You are great and greatly to be praised, so helpful and kind and I am so thankful for your continual presence in my life. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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