In Exodus, this is how the Israelites felt. They may have been slaves back in Egypt, but they had food. Now they are out in the dessert and have nothing but manna.
"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!” Exodus 14:11-12
They wanted to give up. They wanted to turn around and go back to Egypt. We can see what they were going to miss out on and God knew what He had planned for them. But all they saw were the difficulties.
How many times have we wanted to turn around and run from what God was calling us to? Like the Israelites, we cannot see what plans and blessings God may have up ahead, but it's there!
Candace Cameron Bure says in her book Reshaping It All, "If you give up and return to Egypt at the first sign of trouble, you're missing out on the blessings God has to offer."When God calls us to do something, whether it is starting a new church, going on a missions trip, buying the meal for the person behind you in line or witnessing to a neighbor, don't run back to Egypt. Run straight ahead to what God has called you to. He has a plan and a blessing! Embrace His calling!
Sweet Blessings~
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Nice! Hard sometimes to take that next step beyond our comfort zone. But so worth it!
ReplyDeleteWe talked about 'blessings' last night in Kidz Bible Time. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 was our text. You can't help but get excited at the prospect of the blessings God promises to those of us that hear and obey Him!!! I certainly don't want to run back to Egypt...I'm goin' on to the Promised Land!!!
ReplyDeleteCompletely trusting God can be the most difficult thing ever, just simply surrendering EVERYTHING, including our finances, brings such freedom, though.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to run back, but continue to push forward after HIM!!! That is where we live the Abundant Life! Thanks for the timely reminder!
Hugs, Cindy
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your blog today. This is a great post on not giving up on the blessings of God. I've heard this passage taught a lot this way, and I think it's a very good way of looking at it, but no one ever talks about God's response to the Israelites acting this way about His blessings.
He's not happy about it. And why would He be? In fact He gives the blessing to their children instead and lets them all die in the wilderness. I think that's something worth thinking about when we're ready to run away from the things God has for us. Choosing not to walk in His blessings means choosing to walk without them.
Hopefully that makes sense . . .
My blog is Manifest Blog if you're interested.
Oh, yes, do I understand the Israelites! How many times have I turned to run?
ReplyDeleteBut, by His grace, I'm not running anymore!
I just stumbled upon your blog, too. Sometimes I want to tuck tail and run! We can only keep going by His strength. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Jenifer there have been so many times I have wanted to turn around and go back, go back to the familiar. Don't you just feel like reaching through the Bible sometimes to grab the Isrealites by the shoulders and tell them to be quiet and keep moving there is something really great up ahead, and then I stop and think, I wonder how many times God did that to me, and I just ignored Him, I ignored Him when He told me to keep moving there is something really great at the end of this. he has not disappointed yet.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you Jenifer.
Love this!!! I don't ever want to run back to Egypt.
ReplyDeleteYes!! I have learned the hard way that if I turn my back on take the *easy* route it will lead me further from the path I should be on, which will lead me further from Him. I desire to trust that our Lord will lead me through the toughest trenches, because He has promised to!
ReplyDeleteI just read Exodus 19 this morning. I love your devotion...so true! I don't want to miss out on the blessings of God.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder!
Love, Cyndi
Hi Jenifer. If I were the Israelites I probably would've wanted to turn back too. I think for me, its not about turning back, its about not moving forward! That's just as bad I think (for me).
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Stephen and Suzanne, WELCOME to Sweet Blessings! So glad you stopped by!
ReplyDeleteStephen, great point. When we choose to run, we choose to forfeit the blessing. And that does not please God. He desires to bless us. I will check your blog out!
Kandi, yes! Sometimes I do want to reach through the Bible and shake some sense into the people! lol.
Wow, I needed that reminder. Right now my husband and I are service missionaries. I just had ankle surgery; so I am sitting up in a chair with leg elevated and ice on the site. I received a service call and I wanted to return to Egypt.
ReplyDeleteBut Egypt is SO comfortable :) I pray for the diligence to keep putting one foot in front of the other on my journey to the promised land He is taking me to!
ReplyDeleteI think we're all guilty of sidestepping what we're called to do now and again Jenifer. It's easy sometimes to get mired down in our own perceptions of what should happen or how we think things should go, instead of finding God's direction for us and allowing it to guide us.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Have a Blessed Day!
I am reading through Exodus in my time with the Lord and think it is so awesome how God is bringing it up for me so many times this week. That you for the encouragement to not turn and run. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope to get to see you again at Brag on God Friday's.
Yes, there are times I want to turn and run and I have but the blessings are worth doing what the Lord asks us to. Thanks for a great post and the reminder. Blessings to you, Jenifer and love you.
ReplyDeleteVERY important lesson! We have to go straight ahead if we feel a calling and not go running if things get hard. I needed to hear that :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder of not going, or seeking to go back to Egypt!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I need a great push, but I want to keep going forward and see the exciting things God has planned for me.
I'm about to leave and step out from my comfort zone... my comfort zone is no longer giving me comfort... I'm no longer happy there... I know God is calling me to move into another place and that God will open new door for me... I believe greater things are yet to come and still to be done in my life... I'm resigning in my job... Don't know where I'm heading... But I trust the Lord. As long as the LORD is in the lead, I know I will never get lost. I will be fine... God bless for this post!
ReplyDeletetodrawneartoGod, I will be praying for you as you head into the unknown. Find comfort in knowing it is not unknown to God. Blessings!
ReplyDelete