KEY SCRIPTURE: Nil

RELEVANCE

The Israelite desert walk and conquering of Canaan are not just historical events but a testament to God's model for our Christian journey, a journey where He is always present. 

For hundreds of years, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. Perhaps they could have set themselves free years before the Exodus. After all, they had enough people to attempt an overthrow. There was no coup. They waited for God. 

This raises the point of God's invisible movements in the lives of His people, and the fact that He thinks thoughts of peace to His followers to give them an expected end. 

Do we appreciate His extraordinary involvement?

Everything relating to the Exodus was planned and executed by God. Every arrangement—the burning bush, the bloodied Nile, the frogs, lice, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness—was God's invention, plan, and operation. The Passover lamb, the blood on the doorposts and lintels, the Egyptians' gifts of gold, silver, and jewellery, and even the Angel of Death's discernment between the firstborn who die or remain alive were all God's design.

The Israelites were not involved at all. They weren't invited into the design room, and God did not ask their opinion on any of the methods He used to get His way. 

Further on, when they arrived at the Red Sea, did God know it was there? Of course, he did! He took them via that route. Before God held back the sea, He held back His plans from the people to see if they had faith to trust. This is a powerful reminder that faith can part even the most daunting Red Seas in our path if we trust in God's plan.

When the Israelites wanted food, God provided. When they wanted meat, God provided; when they wanted water, God provided. Despite their poor manners, God appointed their provisions. 

In those times when we pray or ask God to work in our lives, what do we expect—I mean, really expect? Do we hope and pray with expectation? Or do we hold to questionable faith with our hope tied to a loose balloon? 

Do we really believe that God knows what He is doing, has control and is working? As with the Israelites, God works in our lives. We discover what he's done in hindsight, but faith works in foresight.

We may not know all He does or how He achieves His work, but faith says He is working somewhere for an expected end, and this we must believe. 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you so much for your faithful workings in the lives of your people. With faith, I can see your presence using foresight and praise you for your wondrous works. 

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