Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 3, 2021
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Be Still…and Get a Move On!
I am a person of action…most of the time! If something is broken, I want to fix it. If there is a problem, I am willing to help out.
But I have a hard time turning to others to help me solve issues or accomplish tasks I can’t figure out or get done on my own.
Too often I treat the Lord like this too. I look at the circumstance, situation or issue and see if I can figure it out, fix it or make it better. Only when I get frustrated and stuck…maybe I turn to the Lord for help.
The Israelites were facing a huge challenge. God had delivered them in a powerful way from their slavery in Egypt, yet now they were faced with the Red Sea in front of them, cliffs of both sides and the army of Pharaoh in hot pursuit behind them.
They thought, “We’re going to die. We might as well go back to Egypt and offer ourselves as slaves again.” They didn’t see how THEY could fix the problem they were in.
God gave Moses a different solution to offer the people. Instead of turning FROM the LORD…be still…and turn TO the Lord.
Exodus 14:13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
If you’re curious of the details – read Exodus chapter 14. Bottom line: God wins. Israel is delivered, and the army of Pharaoh perishes at the bottom of the Red Sea.
As you enter 2021, what situations in life are you finding yourself turning FROM the Lord instead of TO the Lord?
2020 had many challenges. 2021 will have them too. So perhaps in this first week of the year, make a decision to turn first to the Lord when your challenges arise.
Instead of blaming God for the problem, invite God into the problem.
Instead of trying to figure out the problem first, ask God to show the way through the problem.
Instead of running from God and back to what is familiar, run with God and follow where he leads, even if the challenge or change is difficult.
Israel thought running back to Egypt was the solution. Yet, that direction led them back into slavery. Being still and turning to God led to their deliverance and freedom.
God desires the same for you. Be still and turn TO God in 2021!
Apply: Take time this week to be still and identify those situations which are or tempting you to turn from the LORD. Ask the Spirit of God to give you wisdom and strength to turn TO the Lord. Perhaps asking the simple question in a situation might help: “What happens if I turn from the Lord and do it my way versus what might happen if I turn TO the Lord and do it his way?”
Prayer: Dear Lord, give me trust and confidence all year to turn TO you in every circumstance and never turn FROM you. Amen.