Encouragement for Today - Oct. 23, 2007
October 23, 2007
By Faith
By Melissa Milbourn, Proverbs 31 She Speaks Graduate
"By Faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land…”
Hebrews 11:29 (NIV)
Devotion:
I love the Word of God…its width and its depth, and how it is truly alive and active when we choose to get into it and allow it to transform our hearts. But in the past this particular scripture has been humorous to me. I always thought, “For crying out loud, how much faith could it take to cross the Red Sea? You’ve already seen God’s might by way of parting it! The Egyptians are CHAISING YOU, the only common sense thing to do is RUN ACROSS the sea through the path that God has created…or be slain by the Egyptians, or taken captive again! What kind of faith does it take to cross in those circumstances?”
I thought it was humorous, that is, until God made it alive to me by relating it to my life.
This past year God called me to “step out” in a variety of ways in my life. His callings took me into unfamiliar territory. I, too, had a choice to make. I either had to stay where I was, or cross the Sea. To stay where I was meant that I wouldn’t fulfill the “hope of my calling,” or enter my “promised land”. This is where God’s blessings would flow fully and abundantly to me and through me as I allowed Him to be Lord of my life. There’s much reward in obedience. I knew that crossing the sea was the way to go. I knew it was best for me, and yet I stood on the shore saying, “Do I cross or not cross?”
Put yourself in the place of the Israelites. Picture yourself standing by the Red Sea. The Egyptians are hot on your trail. Moses raises the staff and the waters part. You’re standing on the shore looking at that. You have to run down a hill to the bottom of the sea. Can you imagine how high the walls of water would be on each side of you? What about the noise of the wind holding the water back? You’d be thinking, “If I run into this, will the waters stay back until I get across? Can I make it before the waters come crashing back in?” “By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land.”
Even when God is offering deliverance or a good path, it still takes faith to accept it!
The good news is our God is so faithful to us. He doesn’t stand on the other side of the sea shouting, “Hurry up and run!” He gently and lovingly stands by our side, takes our hand, and says: “Beloved, don’t be afraid. I will not leave you nor forsake you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you walk through the waters I will be with you, they will not sweep over you, for I am the Lord your God and I love you…together, let's cross the sea” (adapted from Isaiah 43).
Is God calling you to “step out”? It could be getting more involved at church, a new ministry, a new job, or moving to a new area.
Whatever sea of circumstances you might have, may you, by faith, cross the sea as though on dry land.
Dear Lord, earnestly I seek You. Help me not to fear, but to be strong and courageous, standing on the promise that You will not leave me nor forsake me. Together we'll cross the sea. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
If you believe God is calling you to step out in faith by working at home, Glynnis Whitwer will be hosting a 4-part conference call series - based on her book work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work From Home - beginning Monday, October 29th on how to make the transition.
For more information, click here.
Application Steps:
Practice faith. Be faithful in the small things that God is calling you to do, so that when the big things arrive you'll already be accustomed to obeying God's ways. Establish a level of faith and trust.
Reflections:
Is God calling you into an area that's new to you?
Are you going through a difficult time and don’t see a way out? Pray and seek to recognize His call for you to trust Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 77:19, "Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen." (NIV)
Luke 17:6, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
