Advent For Those Grieving | No. 07
ADVENT DAY SEVEN
10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.Exodus 14:10, 13-14
GOD'S ANSWER TO DESPAIR
In the midst of rescue and escape, in the midst of God executing a promise to His people, they looked away from God and saw their impending circumstances. And they were so afraid. The Israelites were not unlike you and me, the moment our eyes drift from God and His promises, fear grips our heart. Despair sets in. Utter hopelessness. In verses 11 & 12, the Israelites cry out "What have you done? Wasn't it better when we slaves?!"
God is in the middle of working miracles and yet their fear looms so large that they cannot see Him and all the ways He is working right now, right in their midst.
Aren't we often the same? We only see the hurt and the pain and the brokenness, and it is so.hard. to have hope when all we see is that which has been lost.
Moses answers the people: "don't be afraid, stand still, watch what the Lord is about to do." Watch Him. Eyes on Him. Don't run back to what you know, to what may feel safe, God has better for you. Watch Him and all the ways He is going to bring about His glory right before your eyes.
HE FOUGHT & FIGHTS FOR US STILL
And then Moses says "The Lord will fight for you." And you don't have to do a thing. Just stand there. And watch Him work. What a gracious God that we have, who "wages war" (and wins the war) on our behalf and asks nothing of us.
There is this scene in Wonder Woman (I promise this going somewhere) where she sees destruction and pain and brokenness and her heart breaks for a people caught in the middle of a war. She wants to bring them rescue and yet everyone around her is terrified. They see only the circumstances and feel only utter hopelessness. They see no way of ever rescuing those people. They say "It can't be done. We've tried. It's impossible. We can't save everyone." Wonder Woman doesn't accept that answer. And she walks right into the fire. She wages war on the enemy. All those around her realize that she is literally taking all the shots. "She's taking all the fire!" they shout as they run to join her. They can fight now without fear because they know she's taking all the hits. They're no longer in danger even though they're still in the middle of a war. They're safe as long as she is fighting for them.
During that scene of the movie I could think of nothing else except Exodus 14:14; my God fighting for me. Taking all the bullets. Coming to rescue me. Because He loves me and knows I can't get to Him on my own. It is such a beautiful picture of what Jesus has done for us and is doing for us still. In the midst of our despair He is waging war on the enemy and we just have to stand there. He takes all the bullets and works miracles while doing so.
THE PROMISE
Jesus' coming to earth as a baby, was His waging war on our behalf. He fought for us and won. He conquered death and sin and because He is interceding on our behalf we have hope today. He is fighting for you today friend.
PRAYER
Father, would you help us to see all the ways You are working around us. Give us tangible reminders of hope as we see Your working, Your glory on display. Open our eyes wide to see You amidst the brokenness.
