Hard Places
Psalm 114
When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back, the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why was it, sea that you fled? Why Jordan, did you turn back? Why mountains, did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs? Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.
Exodus 13:17
When Pharoah let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.
Have you been caught in a rough place? You felt there was no way out – you were literally caught between a hard spot and a rock. Israel, being led out of Egypt, God leads them to the Red Sea. Suddenly Pharoah’s army appears in view behind them – no escape! How does Israel handle this? Most of us know the story and we are quick to say, “Not too well.” I’m ashamed to admit I, like Israel, complain or cry, why? Or become angry at those around me. I know that I need to call on the Lord and He will answer, He always does. It seems easier at the time of trouble to try to fix things, my own way. Isn’t that what God expects, after all?
Pastor Joel, a few weeks ago, taught how easy it is for us to see the impossible odds of being able to fight against the giants in the land. We often use human reasoning and say, “we can’t go there or do that!” Paster Joel said, we need to be more like Caleb, whose name means dog, (love that) and be fully trusting of our master as a dog would be. Caleb, similar to a dog, was fully trusting and submissive of what His Master called him to do. He also encouraged the people to remember we have a God who, as Psalm 114 teaches, the mountains and sea flee before Him.
Some of my neighbors and I are studying the book of Judges together from the CRC ministry of Coffee Break. We marvel at how the Israelites so quickly give up following God and turn to the gods of the world. They suppose this is the way to find joy and answers to life. We think how foolish they are as we study. Then we have to stop and recall ways we do the same. When there is trouble in life and we find ourselves in tight spots, financial or physical or emotional, often our first thought is who can help fix this? When we find no way out, it is usually then we cry out to God!
Once again Lord, we pray, help us turn to You first. As we cry out, give us confidence that You are the One with all the answers. Please give us a Caleb spirit of trust and obedience so we can sincerely believe that You, O Lord, can part the seas and move mountains. Help us remember, when we don’t understand your leading, You may be protecting us from wars we are not yet ready for. Amen.