I am so thankful that God is kind enough to continue teaching me and revealing His wisdom to me. About a week ago, I was reading in Exodus and got to Chapter 5 where Moses had his first encounter with Pharaoh. As God instructed him, he insisted that Pharaoh release the Israelites. But Pharaoh was obstinate. He said who are you and your God to tell me what to do. So he punished the Israelites by taking away their straw to make bricks. He told them them must find their own straw now and still make the same number of bricks each day.
The Israelites were so upset they confronted Pharaoh and he dismissed them saying they were just lazy and to get back to work. On the way back, they confronted Moses and Aaron asking them why they interfered. "You have made us a stench to Pharaoh..." (Exodus 5:21)
As I was reading this, I was thinking, "They don't get it. Moses is their deliverer and all they are seeing is the problem right in front of them--they're only concerned about the straw." Then as clear as the hand in front of me, God said to me, "You are the Israelites. You are focusing on the straw." I was stunned.
I realized during my moments of pain, I was allowing the immediacy of my grief to distract me from my Deliverer and all that He's done for me and continues to do. I just sat there contemplating what God just revealed to me. I realized how true it was. I needed to put the stake in the ground and vow there was no turning back. Never again would I allow the enemy to take my thoughts captive and get me down and self-focused. Yep, I'm done. I'm ready to stay focused on where I'm going and not where I am at the moment.
So I went out to my back yard and got a piece of straw to lay on my desk where I work in the evenings. I want a constant reminder not to be focused on the straw. I want to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus regardless of my situation or the pain that occasionally traps me. It's done. I reached a turning point and there is no going back--ever. It feels so good. I'm deeply grateful for the living Word of God.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
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1 comment:
Germaine that great. If you only knew the past 72 hour I have wrestled with!! I think it would be great to have random pieces of straw placed throughout my day...in my car, on my desk, my windowsill over my sink, beside my bed. Those moments that can pose such a great threat if we are unarmed and unassuming are EVERYWHERE and will come at any moment...I know mine do. It would be great if the sky would open up and rain straw as a signal. But your suggestion to always be on guard and have a constant reminder is the very best thing we can do. Have a very blessed day my friend.
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