WHEN YOU HAVE DONE YOUR BEST
"10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:10-14.
God had just delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptian bondage. He set them free from the oppression of Pharaoh. The children of Israel were delivered from captivity, and slavery. Finally, they were going to the land of promise. "So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt." Exodus 13:18. As they moved out of Egypt, the presence of God was with them. God guided them! He gave them shade from the heat of the desert sun, and a light in the darkest of nights. However, after they left Egypt, Pharaoh began having second thought about letting them go. As the Israelites looked back they saw Pharaoh and his army. Looking ahead, they were confronted by the Sea. They were completely trapped and had nowhere to go. But God had a plan! The Red Sea not only divided, but the children of Israel walked right through it on dry ground. The way Maker created a passage in the Sea and led the people through to safety. He made a way for the children of Israel where there seemed to be no way.
"And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison." Acts 12:6.
The disciples of the Lord Jesus were facing great persecutions. Apostle James had already been killed. So when Peter was arrested and imprisoned, everyone was worried for him. The church even declared a non-stop prayer service for his release. "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." Acts 12:5. But what do we find Peter doing: he was in deep sleep. How could he in the midst of danger? Peter had the peace that Jesus spoke of in Philippians 4:7, the peace that "passeth all understanding." Are you facing uncertainty today? Receive the peace of God! We can have peace in the midst of the storms.
"43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped." Luke 8:43-44.
The unnamed woman with the issue of blood had tried all she could to get well. She had gone to many doctors and specialists over the years. The woman spent everything she had trying to get a cure. The condition left her impoverished. But instead of getting better, her problem got worse. When all else failed, she went to Jesus. The same Jesus is here for you today! When you are faced with difficult situations, seek the Lord. When you've exhausted all your wisdom and efforts, come to Jesus. When you tried everything and don’t know what to do again, fix your eyes on the Lord. Seek Him through prayer, fasting, reading of the Word and worship.
"17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18.
What do you do when you're trying your possible best to live right and still things are going wrong in your life? Have you taken a stand for God but your circumstances is getting worse? Perhaps you're going through a crisis where your faith is being tested. You've prayed God would deliver you from the trials. But it remains! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a furnace because they decided to please God rather than man. Sometimes God will not rescue us from going into a problem but He'll surely intervene in the midst of it. Even when it looked as if He had given up on them they didn't give up on God. At the end He deliver them. Psalm 34:19. God will never abandon us in our trials.
YOUR BACK AGAINST THE WALL:
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—" 2 Corinthians 4:8.
The children of Israel had done exactly what God told them to do; they followed His direction. Still they were caught in-between the powerful Egyptians army and the impassable Sea. There seemed to be no way of escape.
Have you ever been in a dilemma and you've done everything humanly possible to fix the situation? Are you battling a condition that has persisted for years despite fervent prayers, fasting and faith? Have you arrived at the end of the road in your search for solution and you don't know what else to do? Perhaps you have exhausted every possible means to solve a problem. Are you at the end of your knowledge and wisdom in finding answers to certain challenges? Have you reached the end of your ability and resources? Then you're not alone! The same God who divided the Red Sea so the Israelites could crossed on dry ground is the same today! You may be facing your own Egyptians and Red Sea situation, but trust in God. Your limitations cannot stop God's power.
1. Examine and strengthens your relationship with God daily.
Sometimes the challenges we face in life causes many strong believers to grow cold and distant from God. So how is your relationship with God? Having a relationship with Him begins the moment we admit we're sinners, and receive Jesus as Savior. Make time for God daily. Keep working on enhancing the relationship.
2. Continue steadfastly in prayer.
Turn your worries into prayer. Share your deepest burdens with God. "Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications." Psalm 130:1-2.
3. Read and meditate on God’s Word.
Take time to meditate on His Word, and especially His promises regarding your circumstances.
4. Appreciate the goodness of the Lord.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" Philippians 4:4. Praise God for all He is! Give thanks even when your circumstance are hopeless. Maintaining a life of gratitude keeps our hearts in tune with God.
5. Have an unshaken faith in God.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made it through the fire because they placed their trust in God. They were so steadfast in their faith that even the threat of death could not persuade them to give up. So does your faith have an 'IF NOT' clause? If God doesn't deliver you in the trials, are you still going to serve and follow Him?
6. Be still.
Moses encouraged the children of Israel to be still when they panicked at the sight of the Egyptians and the Red Sea. The original Hebrew word used for being still is Raphah. It means to stop striving, to cause yourself to let go of anxiety, anger and frustration. Being still is to willingly submit or surrender ourselves to God and His control. Things are going to happen in life that we can’t control. And when that happens, it’s going to require us to be still and hand it over to God. Being still is to relax knowing God's in control. When the earth shakes, mountains quakes, and the waters roars, we can be still. Being still means to be at peace in mind, heart and spirit, regardless of what’s going on around us. It is to not be anxious, worried, uptight, or frantic. Being still is calmness and reassurance in the midst of conflict. It is the serenity of mind that isn’t shaken by difficulties. Being still comes from trusting God. It is a way of saying we trust Him to deliver us from our troubles. If today, you find yourself filled with anxiety over the troubles of life, start focusing on God, and His promises in the Scriptures. Commit your needs and worries to Him. Place your hope in God! Receive His peace today.
7. Do not fear.
God has promised to be with us. "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6. So what is there to fear? When the storm rages, God offers peace. Choose to focus on Him and His promises.
8. Be patient.
"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—Yes, more than those who watch for the morning." Psalm 130:5-6.
Are you in a season of waiting on God to move? Are you waiting for something you’ve been fasting and praying about for a very long time and the answer has not come? Hold on! Don't give up! Delay is not denial. Have patience! Patience is the power to tolerate delay, trouble or suffering, without getting angry or upset.
9. Stand firm.
While many believers today will be angry with God and threatening to stop serving Him if He doesn't do what they ask of Him, the three Hebrew men were resolute in their belief. They refused to compromise! Job 13:15. The word stand firm is a military term for holding on to a position that is under attack. It means you don’t run, yield to, or back down. To stand firm is to remain upright. It is to refuse to compromise your values. So, are you giving in to temptation, fear, or the opinions of others? Stand firm in Christ. Don’t waiver! But if you've fallen into a pattern of compromise, repent today and confess it to the Lord. He will restore you.
"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7. I conclude this sermon by encouraging us with this beautiful song that always blesses my heart. HE NEVER SLEEPS by Don Moen. Shalom.
When you've prayed every prayer that you know how to pray
Just remember the Lord will hear and the answer is on its way
Our God is able
He is mighty
He is faithful
And He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He never tires of hearing our prayer
When we are weak He becomes stronger
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him
Do you feel that the Lord has forgotten your need
Just remember that God is always working in ways you cannot see
Our God is able
He is mighty
He is faithful
And He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He never tires of hearing our prayer
When we are weak He becomes stronger
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him
And He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He never tires of hearing our prayer
When we are weak He becomes stronger
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him
(The Bible tells us to cast all our cares to Him, because He cares for us. My friend, this is more than a promise, it's a command. So be at rest, because today God is working in ways that you cannot see. He never sleeps, He never slumbers.)
He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He never tires of hearing our prayer
When we are weak He becomes stronger
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him
And He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He never tires of hearing our prayer
When we are weak He becomes stronger
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him
PRAYER POINTS:
1. O Lord, I thank You for Your goodness towards me and my family, in Jesus name.
2. Father, I thank You for being my defense and refuge in time of trouble, in Jesus name.
3. Lord, I thank You that You will answer my prayers in Your perfect timing, in Jesus name.
5. Father, help me to always trust You! Grant me the grace not to give in to anxiety and fear, in Jesus name.
6. O Lord, help me to stay away from compromise, in Jesus name.
7. Thank You, O Lord, for answering my prayers.
