Exodus 14:6-12
God was leading the children of Israel and their leader Moses, but they still found themselves stuck with the Red sea before them and Pharoah and six hundred chariots chasing behind them with the intention of destroying them .
They couldn't go forward and they couldn't turn backwards.
To go forward would lead to them drowning, to stay in one spot was to be killed or taken back to Egypt as slaves by the Egyptians, to turn backwards was to hand themselves over to Pharaoh and his riders which would defeat their whole liberation effort and make Moses and God liars.
They were stuck!
This is where God's leading had brought them to.
God's leading is not evidence life will always be smooth sailing for us.
What God's leading ensures is divine presence- God will be with you despite the storm, despite the challenge.
When God leads us, it doesn't mean the journey will always be smooth or easy but it doesn't change the fact that God is the one leading.
In Psalm 23 David the shepherd claimed God leads him (verse 1,2), but the leading of God did not change the fact he was near death at times despite God's leading (verse 4)
David was a man who faced a lot of challenges in life and had many battles to fight, yet God was leading him.
God's leading may mot exempt us from difficulty and what seems like danger but God can protect His own.
When God is leading, fear is reduced in your journey.
God's presence reduces fear.
We see from the scriptures, individuals who were so bold even in the face of death they were fearless because they knew God was with them.
Stephen was a spiritual leader and follower of Christ who was filled with the Spirit, a man of good character and wise.
Acts 6:3-5
Stephen was definitely led by the Spirit of God but God's leading did not lead him out of being stoned to death. Stephen was bold even in the face of death, forgiving his murderers.
God's leading gives us confidence that God can make a way for us through the challenge or difficulty that comes on the path He leads us.
Daniel 3:16-18
There are saints like Antipas of Pergamum that the Bible describes as God's faithful witness.
Revelation 2:13
Antipas of Pergamum was martyred/killed for the sake of Jesus Christ
He had the Spirit of God and was very likely led of God.
Church history informs us of characters like Polycarp who was martyred for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Each of the disciples of Jesus Christ was killed for His sake except John the beloved who lived till old age and Judas Iscariot who took his own life for being a betrayer.
We can be courageous even in the face of death.
We should not love our lives so much we cannot die for Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:11
In losing our lives for Christ, we find ourselves in Christ Jesus.
God's will being done in our lives as it is in heaven can attract the wrong kind of effect from this world system which can bring difficulty and challenges to a believer despite divine leading.
Daniel found himself in the lions den despite being a man of prayer, a man obviously led by God.
Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego found themselves faced with death despite their connection and faithfulness to God.
Jesus was led by His heavenly Father, He didn't do anything His heavenly Father didn't approve, but He still had to face the cross.
That you feel stuck, that you are facing challenges doesn't mean God is not leading you as we see with the children of Israel
During the challenges and difficulties you face, you are permitted to use your faith, even your God given measure of faith for God's protection, deliverance, and provision.
Olutosin Ogunkolade, a Teacher-Pastor shares this message.
Comments
Post a Comment