The Exodus

Today I spent some time in Exodus 14.  Its where I am at in my journey through the Bible this year.  (You could still get in on this.  Seriously, go to YouVersion and start right now!)  Exodus 14 is the account of Israel crossing the Red Sea and Egypt chasing after them.  The things that stood out to me today are total opposites.  

On one hand you have the Israelites, willing to beat down Moses for dragging them out in the wilderness to die.  It says they cried out to God and then yelled at Moses in verses 10-12.  Though they have seen so much with all the plagues and so on, they are still faithless.

The opposite of this is God.  In this chapter God is at the front of the line for these people.  He's leading them out by himself!  When the going gets tough and the Egyptians begin pressing in from behind, the cloud - God Himself - moves in between Israel and the Egyptians.  He fights for them by confusing Pharoah's army and making their chariots not work.  

On the heels of Exodus 14 came Matthew 21, where Jesus goes in, clears the temple of those using it for exploit, and then healing the blind and the sick.

The challenge for me is wondering why we don't see God move in this way anymore?  Why doesn't he come to our defense as a cloud and beat down those who persecute us?  Why doesn't he hear our cries sometimes and come to our rescue?  Why don't we see the blind being healed now?  Because of this, one might say he's not as engaged as he was back then.  Some also might say that he's still engaged, but choosing not to do those "miraculous" things.

My personal thought is that the problem is us.  Do we really trust that God is there and willing to step in the middle for us?  Do we act like he is there?  Are we crying out for rescue?  Do we even think we need rescued?  Are we looking to rescue others or are we too focused on ourselves and being safe?  How are we being the Kingdom of God?  How are we advancing that Kingdom?  Are we doing it in ways where God HAS to show up because our faith is so big?  

If I am real and honest with myself, my answers to these questions are embarrassing.  I am no better than the Israelites who cry out against Moses in faithlessness.

Lord, help us to be real with ourselves.  Help us to ask the hard questions, to make changes, and to surrender our lives to you and your Kingdom.  Allow us to see and feel you move around us as we live out our faith.