Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 3, 2021
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Be Still…and Get a Move On!
This past Sunday, January 3 I “preached” (since I recorded the message on December 26, 2020 as we were in Florida on January 3) on the crossing of the Red Sea by the people of Israel in Exodus 14. This “beach” story is one that has many facets to consider of God, people, and leadership.
The people saw the challenges – water in front, cliffs on the side and the army of Pharaoh pursuing them – and were convinced the slavery they came from would be better than dying at the hand of Pharaoh’s army.
Exodus 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
Moses, the leader, saw the same challenges, but trusted God would fight for his people.
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.”
God saw the same challenges and said, “I will bring glory to my name.”
Exodus 14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.”
On midnight of January 1, 2021 one sensed a “sigh of relief” that we had “made it” out of the challenges of 2020 and we could put those things behind us…CoVid Pandemic, riots in major cities, charged political climate and more. In fact people were congratulating each other that we “made it” through 2020.
In my message last Sunday, I quipped, “I don’t know what will happen in 2021, but there may come a point that we, like the people of Israel, view the challenges of the present and wish we could go back to the familiar of 2020.” A sobering thought to think, “What would make 2021 worse that we would yearn for the days of 2020 as the ‘good ol’ days’?”
I don’t know.
But already seven days into 2021, a quote appeared on Facebook “I’d like to cancel my subscription to 2021. I’ve experienced the free 7-day trial and I’m not interested.” Why? January 6 saw a dual senate race lean to the Democrats giving them control of both houses of congress. As well as the Senate met to certify the 2020 election results. However in the middle of that process, agitators broke into the Capitol and stormed the building causing all Senators and Representatives to seek shelter in secure basement rooms. Unfortunately one lady lost her life and 70 plus have since been charged. As they should be for breaking the law.
We thought we had left all this in the rear view mirror of 2020. Not so.
And we’re only 7 days in.
Here’s what I know.
People, even God’s people, even me, will naturally look at the challenges we face individually and collectively and want to run from them, avoid them, or simply despair of them. It’s human nature…especially when the situation seems out of our control and bigger than we can handle or know how to help. Perhaps 2021 is shaping up to be a year that will make 2020 look rather benign and lead us to wonder why God is allowing the events of this year to happen.
Leaders, especially God’s leaders, have a choice. Despair with the people or lead forward confident of the promises of God. This is where I pray the devotions of this week and message have been helpful to keep the challenges around us in perspective while we trust God’s promises to deliver and save us…forever in heaven.
God has only one choice. His name will be glorified.
Even the Egyptian army realized they were in trouble because the Lord was fighting against them.
Exodus 14:25 He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.”
How will God’s name be glorified? May I suggest three ways I see today:
- God’s name is glorified when I trust his power and promises more than any person or politician.
- God’s name is glorified when I find greater pride and honor and passion in being a child of God and citizen of his kingdom than being a citizen of America (of which I still have a great sense of pride).
- God’s name is glorified when I see and believe the heart of our country is changed when the Spirit of God changes the hearts of people…starting with mine.
I am confident 2021 will provide many opportunities for us to be tempted to despair, for godly leaders to reminds us of God’s promises and God’s name to be glorified.
So we have only one option because we can’t go back…we must go forward! So, get a move on…confident of God’s Promises!
Apply: What promise of God will guide you and give you strength as you move forward in 2021?
Prayer: Lord, we pray for our country and all those in a position of authority. May their hearts seek your wisdom and seek to honor you in all the ways they govern. Forgive us for despairing of the situation around us and forgetting that you are fighting for us. Thank you for godly leaders and fellow Christians to remind us of your power and promises. Lead us forward and cause your name to be glorified in our lives and those around us in the year ahead! Amen.