During times like our country and our world are facing now, it is no wonder that more and more people are falling into depression, bitterness, and hopelessness. All of the problems we face are so much bigger than we are. We are in times of war and turmoil. Moral decline has led to the rejection of God and the teaching of His Word--resulting in the breakdown of the family, the embracement of sinfulness, corruption, selfishness and paganism that are all totally foreign to God’s will for our lives and the thinking of our Nation’s founding fathers.
The economic uncertainty in our culture and in the world with the weakening dollar, record fuel prices, rising food prices, and a looming recession, it would be easy for us to become overwhelmed, frightened and discouraged at our inability to do anything to bring about any meaningful change and stability in our lives. What’s the use in fighting when our opposition and our circumstances are so huge and so overwhelming that we can’t do anything about them?These really are troublesome times we live in, economically, morally, socially, culturally and spiritually, but when we look at the Word of God we are reminded that the King of kings and Lord of lords is still on the throne! In Him and Him alone we find HOPE for the present and for the future!
I am reminded of the time when Israel was suffering in slavery and bondage in the land of Egypt. They were oppressed on every side by their captives and all they knew to do in their desperation was to cry out to the God of their Fathers for help and deliverance.
Moses had escaped Egypt to the land of Midian. As he was tending sheep in the desert, he saw a strange site; a bush that was burning but not being consumed by the fire (Gen 3).
When Moses went to investigate the strange site, the Lord spoke to him and introduced Himself by saying: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” (vs 6). Moses hid his face because he feared this God he had heard about from his youth. God said that He had seen the misery of His people in Egypt and had heard them crying out in their slavery: “So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”
So God told Moses “So, now go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (vs10). I am all too familiar with Moses’ response to God’s call upon his life. But God, “who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (vs11). What gifts, what abilities, what credentials do I have that they would listen to me? What power or knowledge do I have to free and lead these people? But look now at God’s response to Moses: “I will be with you.”
Moses wasn’t sure how even the Israelites would accept his message that he had been sent to deliver them, not to mention how Pharaoh would respond. So, he asked God again, but if I tell them “The God of your Fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (vs 13). Then “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’” (vs14).
Think about what the Lord God is saying here! Whatever difficulties we face, however big our enemies or obstacles appear, whatever task or ministry He has given us to do, (all of which are much bigger than us or our abilities), He is able and willing to overcome them all and accomplish His will in us and through us!
Moses asked when God called him: but “who am I?” God answered: “I will be with you.” Moses asked: But you are you? God answered: “I AM.” Think about these truths in your life. If God is “I AM” and if He is always with you, and promises never to leave you or forsake you, (Deut. 30:8) then it doesn’t matter about our abilities or inabilities, but only our availability and our faith and obedience to His leading.
But God, I am not able to face this trail—“I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
But God, I am not able to get through this suffering—“I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
But God, I am not able to make the marriage work—“I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
But God, I am not able to forgive this person—“I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
But God, I am not able to change our culture—“I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
But God, I am not able to overcome this sin in my life—“I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
But God, I am not able to give you my tithe and make ends meet—“I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
But God, I am not able to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the world—“I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
But God, (and whatever you can’t do!!!!)—God says: “I AM and I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
What HOPE and what ENCOURAGEMENT these promises bring! For all who love Him, trust Him and come to Him through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus (Jn. 14:6), CAN face life and its difficulties with confidence that God is with us. He is at work and is able to accomplish His will in us and through us in every situation. We can have live in this world with confidence, assurance and the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.
Look at Deut. 30:8. Moses was dying and turning leadership over to his successor, Joshua. Compare the Moses of Exodus 3 who only knew of God with the Moses of Deut 30 who had walked with God. The one to whom the Lord had to convince of His faithfulness, is now speaking through experience that God’s promises are indeed true. No matter how powerful the enemy, how wide the sea, how long the journey, God the Father is present and able! Moses told Joshua with complete confidence: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
You can’t, but He can! Surrender your life to Him, trust Him, and walk with Him every day. You will be surprised at what God can and will do in you and through you!
Stay fresh in Jesus!
Glenn