DO NOT BACK OUT OF THE PLAN

The word must go, let keep spreading the gospel.

Text: Exodus 14: 1 – 4

1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.' 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this. Amen

Jehovah told Moses all they should expect from Pharaoh as they move out from Egypt to the promise land. He told them why He (God) was allowing events to unfold that way. He even showed them the role they ought to play to contribute to this divine plan.

The whole plan was going to be a collaborative effort between God and Israel to ensure that Pharaoh and his Egypt are utterly destroyed before the latter relentlessly pursue them and cause their return to Egypt.

Israel understood her role and begun to do exactly what God wanted them to do. They were doing just fine until they saw the armies of Egypt approaching. That very moment they become so terrified and were ready to 'chicken' out of the plan.

There they said to Moses “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” (Exo 14: 11- 12).

Beloved, you would agree that most of us do not do any better than Israel did each time we find ourselves in their position. You see, God reveals His plan to us now through His Word just as He did to the Israelites then, through Moses. In the Word (or plan), God explains the reasons why events will unfold in a certain way. He also tells us what our role ought to be, and His ultimate goal too

Normally we agree and collaborate with Him till opposition arises, then we back out of the plan. We do this in a manner that suggests we didn't even understand it when God said things will happen this way before we can win.

We literally refuse to co-operate with God at the sight of opposition, and would rather have our previous situation of slavery than an exodus into freedom with complications. Thank God for His mercies however, because He doesn't give up on the plan when we do. He gives us grace to go through it to the latter while He confronts each opposing force till victory is won.

Why don't you talk to Him this morning? Ask Him for the grace and strength to go on with every plan He has revealed to you through His Word. Come against the spirits of fear and timidity that make you desire slavery to freedom; just because your journey to freedom was met with opposition.

Rise up and work collaboratively with the Lord until you reach the promise land. “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again" (Exo 14: 13).

GOD FAVORS HIS CHILDREN

Psalm 107:31, 35-38

31 “Oh that men would gives thanks to the Lord for is goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men.35 He turned their rain into hail, with lightning throughout their land; 33 he struck down their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country. 34 He spoke, and the locusts came, grasshoppers without number; 35 they ate up every green thing in their land, ate up the produce of their soil. 36 Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their manhood. 37 He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered. 38 Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them.”

The truth about humanity is that we are all the creation of God. God has done so much to make living in this world bearable for all humanity. There is another truth - God acknowledges those who in humility have laid their lives before Him in surrender. He makes the distinction between his children and those who are not.

How can there be three days of darkness in the whole land of Egypt except Goshen where the children of Israel lived at that time? How can locusts come and devour in Egypt but spare the land of Goshen? While you process that, how can death come to first-born males in the land of Egypt and not touch the sons of the Israelites in Goshen?

When you go through the valley of the shadow of death, what differentiates you from the non-believer is that you can say that your heart shall not fear because of the revelation of God in you but the unbeliever cannot. In fact, their hearts fear a lot and they sometimes affect us and we find ourselves speaking their language of fear. God is always on your side and will at any moment you show that you are His child and that He is watching over you.

Prayer

1. Thank God for the assurance He always gives us that He values us, even in the midst of several mistakes and occasional waywardness

2. Ask God to help you to remain with Him always and not go wayward

3. Father, thank You for stretching Your hand to show that I am Your child. Help me not to deviate from Your ways so that my relationship with You will not be questioned

Declarations

I declare in the name of Jesus, I am blessed and highly favored. My God’s banner over me is His love. He contends with those who contend with me and fights with those who fight with me. His Holy Spirit continually upholds and shields me from all forms of evil. I declare by divine enablement that through the power of His Spirit I will always remain in Him.