Topic: Opportunities in the test
Text: Exodus 17: 1-16
Key verse: And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, what shall I do unto this people? They are almost ready to stone me.
God is always present with us, in the wilderness the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night was a constant reminder of his presence. Today, he lives in us by his Holy Spirit, as our teacher, counselor, and comforter. Do you always turn to him in the face of challenges, or it is only after your leader has failed you, that you turn to God?
When you rely on your mind to counsel you, then you do not have God at the centre of your life…. lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5b
Don’t put your trust in human leaders. Don’t trust in people who can’t save you. Psalm 146:3
When we always run to man first, our spouse, parents, friends or pastors before we seek God, then it is man we have made as our counselor. The people always ran to Moses, blame him for their challenges and never consider the need to cry to God in prayer. Man in his best intentions cannot fix all problems, blaming your parents, spouse, friends or pastor for the situation does not make any difference. They also need to run to God for help. Learn to go to God first, form a habit to Ask God first. That was Moses\’ habit; he learnt to pray about everything.
God wanted the people to turn their attention to him as the source, God wanted to reveal himself to the Israelites and have a personal relationship with them, so he invited the elders to follow Moses to the Rock and watch the miracle take place. That rock is Jesus, he want you to turn to him as your source always. What he has not already provided for you by his death, he now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for. Every day we will face different challenges as long as we are on earth, some are battles we will fight alone with God, some are corporate battles. Who are your partners, who are those in your team?
And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. Every Moses will one day need a Joshua, Aaron and Hur, who do you have in your life as you face the adversaries? Expect divine intervention; expect God to reveal himself to you as Jehovah Nissi. Your enemies are his enemies; the battle will end in your favour in Jesus name. Amen
The wilderness experience produced a great leader, Moses. It also produced Joshua a warrior and other destiny helpers. Who have you become in the midst of your wilderness experience? May the Lord bless and keep you, may his grace strengthen you as you go through life and walk in victory. You are not alone in this, others have gone before us, and they made it. They are our cloud of witnesses. Be strong and take courage in Jesus name, amen.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne Hebrews 12:1-2
Roses & Thorns