There have been times in my life I’ve prayed earnestly for deliverance. Times when the days were long, the nights were longer, and the tears were unending. The situation looked hopeless, and there was nothing I could do to help myself.
Then the hand of God moved. He brought direction and deliverance. He did what I had pleaded and prayed for Him to do.
He delivered me.
But I still had to get up and walk through that deliverance. God required some action from me.
Remember the children of Israel, enduring years of horrible abuse as slaves in Egypt? There was nothing they could do in their own strength to save themselves. They cried out to God in their anguish, and He answered. He sent Moses to lead them and plagues to destroy their captors.
It was a miraculous deliverance, only made possible by the mighty power of God.
But they still had to walk out of Egypt. They had to pack their belongings, believing God would lead them in this barren wilderness they were heading into.
And once they were out of Egypt, they had to stay out. Oh, there were times they wanted to go back to Egypt. They even fought with Moses about it.
Unbelievable! How could they go running back into slavery when they prayed so hard for God to deliver them?
But it’s all too common a scenario.
We see those delivered from substance abuse running back to their addictions.
We see those delivered from toxic relationships returning to the ones who hurt them.
We see those delivered from financial ruin sink back into the very same lifestyle choices that led them to that ruin.
We see those delivered from bad friendships seek out the very same types of friends again.
It’s easy to look down on the people in these situations, isn’t it?
But I’m afraid we all can be just as guilty—just as apt to refuse God’s deliverance.
Sometimes God’s answer is staring us in the face, and we neglect to walk into that deliverance.
Have you ever prayed for God to ease your loneliness, while ignoring His command in Proverbs that one “that hath friends must show himself friendly?”
Or desired the power of God in your life, while skimping on your prayer time?
Or said you want a closer relationship with God, while giving Him approximately 5 minutes of attention a day?
Or told God you wanted a stronger faith, while refusing to take even a tiny step of faith?
In Exodus 14, we find the Israelites in a very desperate place once again. They stood trapped between the uncrossable Red Sea and the furious Egyptian army, intent on dragging them back into slavery.
Without a miracle of God, there was no hope of deliverance.
As the army bore down on them, Moses spoke these words, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)
Then we find God’s command in the next verse, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” (emphasis mine)
You know the rest of the story. God parted that uncrossable sea, and the children of Israel marched through on dry land.
God’s mighty deliverance came—but still they had to go forward into that deliverance.
My friend, what are you praying and longing for?
What do you desire to see God do in your life?
Could it be that His deliverance lies before you, and He’s waiting for you to step into it?
Don’t let fear hold you back.
Stand strong upon the promises of His Word.
Have faith that He will see you through.
And walk into His deliverance.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
