PUSH
Part three
of fourteen in Commanded “Holy Days”
Importance Today series
Exodus
13:17: “When Pharaoh let the people go,
God did not lead them on the road through Philistine country, though that was
shorter. For God said, ‘If they face
war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’”
Rushing out of Egypt wasn’t easy for
the Israelites. People get set in their
ways. Although…they hated slavery, complaining
about being over worked and crying out to Yahweh for redemption…it is recorded
that thousands refused to leave Egypt!
The opening Scripture hints how well
Yahweh knows His kids.
A more accurate interpretation is
the original Hebrew; Pharaoh sent them away. The
people were afraid to leave the only home they knew for generations. Pharaoh had his army shove the Israelites
out!
Humans resist change. We
fear the unknown. We often dream of
change, but when the opportunity arrives, we flee from it. A French poet Guillaume Apollinaire wrote: “‘Come
to the edge,’ He said. They said, ‘We
are afraid.’ ‘Come to the edge,’ He
said. They came. He pushed them…and they flew!”
Pharaoh understood fear and pushed
the Israelites out of Egypt. Mostly, it
is God who pushes us to take the first step into new beginnings. A difficult person challenges us to see
things differently. Demanding situations
force change, or surrender. Most people
refuse surrendering at ANY cost.
Even Believers resist surrendering our
will to our LORD.
Relationship break up. A lost job,
or receiving a bad health report can be God pushing us in a different
direction. Evidently we must be pushed
before we’re forced to spread our wings and fly. Stepping out in faith is a flying experience. The Israelites had no choice except to trust
God and leave Egypt. How awesome things
worked out for them: They claimed a new homeland!
God never pushes people down,
preferring that we fly.
Take Home Nugget
Here’s
another paradigm that definitely needs changing: “God helps those who help themselves.” Have you heard that? That paradigm [PARE-a-dime] or idea is NOT
Biblical!
Believers-in-Christ facing hardship is
when we certainly CANNOT help ourselves!
That’s precisely where God wants His kids. In our desperation, He finds us and offers help. God helps those whose sole source of help is
HIM.
God wooed Israel since claiming Abraham
in Genesis chapter twelve. When “Israel”
became Abraham’s grandson Jacob’s new name in Genesis 32:28, all Abraham’s descendants
were labelled Israelites. Their new home
is Israel in Canaan (Genesis 17:8).
God woos His kids today. He longs for us to need Him and call upon Him
for help!
Jesus tells us plainly, “Without Me, you can do nothing!” in John 15:5.
When will
we stop trying to help ourselves, LORD?
Push me, then! Amen.
Adapted from www.JosephPrince.org. February 8, 2017.
God’s Holy Day Plan, The
Promise of Hope for All Mankind.
©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ. Ohio. Pgs.
3-6.
J.D. Griffith
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