Project 52 | Week 4: Believe Him + Link-Up!

This week, I read Exodus 13 through 32. And once again, there were several take-a-ways. The biggest reminder that I walked away with was that the Lord is in control. I don't have to be fearful. And he's fighting for me and making a way out of no way.

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. - Exodus 14:14

Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. - Exodus 14:30-31

I was also reminded once again that the challenges we face are for our own good and for God's greater plan. The people of Israel often turned their backs on Moses and, ultimately, God when things didn't seem to be going their way. 

But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?..." - Exodus 17:3

"Is the Lord among us or not?" - Exodus 17:7

Through Moses, the Lord performed many miracles and attempted to show the people of Israel that He is present and simply desired for them to believe in Him and His plan for them. Yet, every single time they fell on tough times, they complained. And complained. And complained.

Beginning in Exodus 20, the 10 commandments and other laws were established, including not having any other gods before the Almighty God{Exodus 20:3}.

You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, not shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. - Exodus 20:23

Yet when Moses goes away for 40 days and 40 nights to be with and hear from God, the people of Israel become impatient with the length of time he's gone and decide to break the covenant by making a gold calf and worshiping it with offerings and a feast.

At this point, God is pretty fed up and is ready to burn them ALL up for their disobedience. BUT, Moses intercedes on their behalf and God decides to spare them.

There is so much that I gain from all of this:
1) God's plans are God's plan; 2) God's timing is God's timing; 3) I, like the people of Israel, tend to get impatient with God and do my own thing instead of wait on Him; 4)  I, also like the people of Israel (without realizing it sometimes), grumble and complain and become discontent with my life.

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around all of this. I want nothing more than to trust God, His plan and timing, and let my mouth and my feet reflect that I'm trusting Him. Ugh. Ah well. The good news is that each day that He wakes me up is a new opportunity to serve Him, love others, and wait on Him. Just wait. And be silent.

One day at a time.

Thinking about joining my Project 52 challenge?

Read more about it here, here & here.