Every Monday I get to meet for a Bible study with some good friends, well not just good, they are some of the best I have. This morning Jose and I had decided ahead of time to read the account of the Israelites being delivered from the hand of Pharaoh. We both recently had major career changes and felt like this section of scripture could give us some insight into the desert and how to see God working in our circumstances. I came away with a good sense of peace in the way of some solid truth and a wondrous observation.
We started at the end of Exodus chapter 13 and ended in the first half of chapter 15. A side thought – reading through these chapters got me slightly jealous because almost every paragraph starts with, “and the Lord said.”
Exodus 13:17 – When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although it was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.”
When I have left a place that has been unhealthy, I have always had feelings of regret. Some of the time I have a desire to return to where I had been comfortable. Like an addict returning to the poison that is killing him. Each time moving closer to death and filled with regret. Unfortunately, my last two jobs offered predictable comfort but stifled my gifts. They offered a good alternative but it cost me God’s best. It cost me adventure and it cost me purpose. However, I was there for a purpose and not by mistake.
After leaving both positions, I now realize that God did the thing that he did for the Israelites. He made my passage safe. Not comfortable, but safe. It didn’t have all the familiar amenities, but it also did not have war. It was hard but not life threatening. Sometimes, well most times, it is so hard to see this reality when you are living it. You have to do what seems impossible, trust in who God is and what he has said he will do. If left to depend on our feelings, we are dramatic people.
The comfort is knowing that even in the midst of my grumbling God is still faithful. He is still in control and he is still working.
The start of the next chapter hit me much harder.
Exodus 14 – Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.
This may seem like God is some tyrant that just wants to glory hog. However, you cannot be a hog of something that no one else is worthy of. This passage is a reminder of the attitude I should constantly have. That the things that happen in my life are for the exclusive purpose of reminding me of who God is and providing material for me to give glory to Him. The only one that is worthy of that glory.
Glory refers to the great praise, honor, or distinction that a person, group, or thing receives. It is often a result of a significant achievement, a heroic act, or a position of high respect. The adoration, praise, and thanksgiving given to the one who is worthy of it.
I had been up a few nights thinking about my reaction to the legal issue I am having with a former employer. I would often think to myself, when I win this, I will gloat this way or that way. I was consumed by creating a plan to receive the maximum glory with the minimal risk of retaliation. Justifying my reasoning. He deserves this, right? He deserves shame and I deserve glory. Whether I would have admitted it or not, there was no place for God. He could help by just making it happen or assist in softening the employer’s heart. Everything else, I took care of. Even my attempts to reason with the person. This gave me the permission to celebrate however I wanted.
This morning revealed to me that I had missed the point entirely. The reason I am in this situation is because of God and my deliverance will also be because of Him. Even the things that I choose now are in many ways because of the path that he has been leading me on. I have said for a long time that I am the man I am today because of the choices I have made. Those choices have been prepared and guided by a perfect hand and that hand does not belong to me.
It no longer feels right to say, “If I win.” To say that means that I would deserve some or all the glory. I cannot even say, “If God wins.” Because God’s not playing a game, and who am I to define what “winning” means for my creator. He has already won. So now, I sit in the office of an empty mini golf course writing this letter. That is another humbling experience.
The only thing I can bring myself to say to God about the situation with my former employer is – Father, deliver me. Father, thank you for guiding me, and I trust in your deliverance.
I can’t help but to misunderstand who is worthy of glory. It is far too easy to see my own effort and work than to recognize God’s. It reminds me of the attitude my children occasionally get. I am the same way towards God. They will grumble about the food and think that they deserve a choice without recognizing that the clothes they wear and the roof they sleep under could disappear. The things that are normal are taken for granted.
It sounds cliche but I have circled back to this thought frequently over the last few months. Gratitude. It is odd and difficult to be grateful for the things that are assumed, common, and expected. But why are they?
My last reflection from this morning is found towards the end of the of chapter 14.
Exodus 14:21, 22 – Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
Our God is a wonderful and magnificent God. I find this next thought funny and at the same time I am in awe.
I grew up in upstate New York. However, I now live in the midwest. If there is anything that the midwest is known for is its wind. What I have yet to hear anyone bring up is how a strong wind could push back water to the point in which there is dry ground. Yet, this same wind wouldn’t pick up chickens, goats, and children and then hurl them into the sea or miles away. I have seen videos of cars being thrown through buildings, yet the wind that divides the seas leaves children unmoved. Even if it wasn’t strong enough to chuck a goat, they were in the desert, how did the wind not produce a constant sand storm.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this is not my attempt to discredit the story or cause doubt. I truly believe that it happened. I am pointing this out because of my belief. It makes this miracle even more astounding. It gives me another reason today to give God glory because he is the only one who is worthy.
Nos & Rehtaf, Dnabsuh 