It Does Not Make Sense
INTRODUCTION:
Exodus 12:7-38 This was the beginning of a journey that the Israelites were spared from the plagues of death. A lamb with no defects had to be killed and its blood placed on the door frames of each home. This also was a foreshadow of the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, who gave his blood for the sins of all people. They were told to eat the Passover Feast while dressed for travel as a sign of the Hebrews’ faith. They were not yet free but were to prepare themselves for God had said he would lead them out of Egypt.
We as believers have experienced a day of deliverance as well – the day we were delivered from spiritual death and slavery to sin. Now we are on a new journey as his children and servants of the most High God. This journey may take you to many places you never imagined.
Many times, in our lives, we feel directed to do things that in the natural does not make sense. Why would we move from the east coast to the west coast in the United States? We left our friends, and our ministry that was established there and now begin a new life. We had no idea; our boys would marry California girls and we would have ten beautiful grandchildren and now beginning to start a new generation of the great grandchildren. When God told the children of Israel to “put blood on the doorposts of their home,” it probably made no sense. But the enemy could not cross the blood line.
1. DO NOT QUESTION GOD’S DIRECTIONS.
We humans will question in moments when what we are doing makes no sense to our natural mind.
WE WANT TO KNOW THE “WHY” BEHIND THE “WHAT.”
Why would I leave my home to plant a church in a place and I know no one? Why would I start a new business in a city that already has the product I have? Why would this happen to me when God ask me to go and do what I am doing? Why, why, why? We face these questions and challenges every day?
GOD HAD THE PLAN.
Verse 7 They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of their houses then they would eat the animal. There were many specific instructions.
Illustration: God spoke directly to me before my husband died. “You won’t have all the answers, but you know the one who does.” I had no clue what he was going to do but if we remember, He does know the beginning and the end and knows the right plan.
WE CAN REST AND NOT STRESS.
I did not say there would not be problems, lonely moments, and surprises (good and bad). But it will all be okay as we listen, obey and trust.
2. PROTECTION FROM THE ENEMY.
THIS WAS AN ANSWER TO THEIR CRY AND PRAYER.
When we are wanting a change, dreaming, and having a surrendered heart, we think we are ready for anything. Yes, we must surrender and allow Him to be the Lord of our lives, but it will not be like we think or imagine. That is when we trust and not question. Easier said than done.
THIS WAS THEIR WAY OUT OF SLAVERY AND THE EGYPTIANS POWER.
Good and bad things will happen because we are still on earth, but God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you”. They had no idea Pharaoh’s army would be buried alive in the sea. Then we can cause the journey to be different than God had planned because of our doubt, fear, questions, and disobedience. When we do not follow His plan, we change the course.
THEY WOULD STILL HAVE TO FACE AND FIGHT THEIR ENEMIES.
We are in a lifetime war till we leave this world. God’s people had God’s promises and plans to defeat their enemies. It was not God’s fault that they were defeated many times and took such a long time reaching their promise. They were slaves with no future and hope and did not know how God would protect them from the enemy that night and many years to come.
Do we need a way out of our situation? We faced our enemy of sickness when my husband had cancer for several years. But God gave us strength, and unbelievable miracles on our journey.
3. THEY WOULD HAVE A NEW BEGINNING AND LIFE.
They did not know the entire plan, what they would face but this would be a new life (not trouble free). Was it easy, no, but this was an opportunity to trust this same God who gave them freedom? There was the promise of a new land flowing with milk and honey.
THANK GOD FOR THE NEW BEGINNING.
It seemed they went from one disaster to another. But they had to believe and accept God’s words. It is still our principle today.
WALK IN YOUR NEW BEGINNING.
When you get hit, get up, brush off the dust and start on His plan again. As you notice, I said His plan. When we get disappointed because we expected the beginning to be a certain way, continue to heed his voice, be careful to obey daily and save yourself from another disaster.
Illustration. When we came to California, we took a new church building that had to be paid for with a very small grieving congregation that left in a short time. We had to go get temporary outside jobs, pray, and keep a right attitude. We knew we were in God’s will, but nothing made sense. Our expectations were so different than reality. This is when we had to decide, we will not quit, we will work if we need to, and God has the plan.
KEEP THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
The only way you do this is by having your “quiet prayer time”, building your relationship with the God who made the plan, know, and apply his word and the support of others. This is most important.
4. HE CONTINUED TO GIVE THEM CHOICES.
He told them to be fully dressed, wear their sandals, and carry their walking stick. Eat the meal with urgency and be ready to move forward.
GOD ALWAYS GIVES US CHOICES TO ACT IN FAITH.
We may not have received our complete freedom, but he wants us to trust His plan.
From the Garden of Eden man was given a choice. Adam and Eve failed the test and made the wrong choice. God always gives us a choice to follow His commands, take the leap of faith and we live in those choices daily.
LISTEN AND OBEY
Their beginning was good as they fixed their meal and placed the blood on the doorpost. But things begin to happen as they left one wilderness and went to the new wilderness. They realized, “this wasn’t what I thought I signed up for. It does not make sense that we must trust God for food, even our water.”
Listening is one thing, but obeying demonstrates our faith. After all, doesn’t everything come by faith?
This began the story of redemption, and the very blood of our Lord still protects us today generation to generation.
Testimony: Our children have told us, “We are preaching today because of the move to California. We saw the miracles of God. He put food on our table, provided for our rent, and our needs even to special desires such as “high school class rings.” When we are going through our difficult situations, it does not make sense. But God always knows what He is doing.
Wherever you are, do not give up. Do not try to figure out the plan, open your heart and allow him to speak to your spirit, put things in place as He chooses, and God’s ways are always the best ways! I have seen it over a lifetime.
GOD DOES KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING. MORE TO COME.