How Will You Respond

by Jason DeShazo

God had delivered The Children of Israel from Egypt. All the Years in bondage they had built the store houses that held the riches of Pharaoh.

The Children of Israel wondered in the wilderness for more years than they needed to cause they kept complaining and whining.

Exodus 12:34-36 upon their deliverance they got to take whatever they want.. The very wealth they had built store houses for.. They left Egypt with more wealth than they had when they went into bondage. Not only did God deliver them but he gave them the wealth of the enemy.

Exodus 13:17 When they Left Egypt God didn’t take them directly to the promise land. He knew they would try to change their purpose He knew they were not ready to go there and face the battle they had to face when they got there. They had to go through some more things to be able to get into the promise land. He had to take them to the wilderness to be strengthened and get them prepared, And to see how they would react.

Exodus 14:1-4 The Lord set Israel in a certain place so the Pharaoh would think they were lost and confused about where they were to go. God allows us to be in a certain place sometime to confuse the enemy and even to entice him to pursue us.. JUST so He can prove himself to us and the enemy that he is still under control. Once again to see how we will react in the midst of the trial.

Exodus 14:10-12 They saw Pharaoh and his army approaching, and began to freak out. Instead of looking to God and trusting that He had allowed this to happen for His glory. They should had remembered what God had already told Moses. They began to say “where there not enough graves in Egypt so you took us out there to die?” “didn’t we tell you back in Egypt to leave us alone that we were better off in bondage?” They would rather had been in bondage than to face this fear. They wanted to give up and go back into bondage rather than trust that God had something better for them. They forgot that soon what he had already done for them the plagues he had set against their enemy.

They were too busy complaining and whining and pinning to see what God had for them. Yet another deliverance was right in front of them. The deliverance that would destroy their bondage/enemy.

Peg Etwhistle was an actress in the silent films in the 20s her carrier was affect by the new film industry with sound.  She felt her carrier was done. So she climbed to the top of the Hollywood sign and jumped and killed herself.  But what she didn’t know was that there was a letter at her home waiting for her that was going to change her carrier and her life.. But she gave up before right before her time… She responded incorrectly in the midst of her trial.

Job in all he went through the pain and loss he still kept his eyes on God. He said *though he slay me i will still serve him.” He knew that God would take care of him though he didn’t understand why he went through what he went through.. and in the end God blessed him for his responses.

Exodus 14:13-14 In the midst of the Israelites complaining Moses told them not to worry God was going to deliver them. And then God gave them direction. A lot of times God tells us He is going to deliver us.. Then Lets the enemy pursue us and wants to see how we react. Then after our reaction He shows us the deliverance.

I believe if we react out of fear and whine and complain He will deliver us out of it but let us go through it again until we can learn. How many times must we go around the mountain?

We need to get on our knees and pray. “God I don’t know how you are going to do it? I don’t understand this way? But please show me and help me to respond the right way.”

I had gone through some false accusations against me said to leadership. I had to respond to authority over me in a correct way. And Trust God would speak to the leadership and He would show them about the false accusations and over reactions on the other person’s part. And in the midst of it I submitted to authority and God showed Himself. And God was my Judge and my vindicator. If I had reacted out of fear and tried to vindicate myself I am sure the truth would had come out still but God saw my heart and knew I would trust him in it. I had learned a lot out of it and to trust him even more.

Ex 14 15-31 They walked on dry land and saw their enemy consumed by the sea. Then they recognized Gods deliverance. God knew their faith was going to be weak. So HE had to show them yet again, As He did many more times on their journey.

In Numbers 13 they arrive to the valley of Shittim as described in Joel 3 this became there valley of decision. Moses sent 12 spies to the land to check it out. They were gone 40 days. While they were there they saw the splendor of the milk and honey the large grapes the land was amazing!

When they returned 2 of the 12 were ready to go and take the land but the other 10 complained and reacted yet again out of fear. In Verses 31-33 They said “we can’t go up against them they are stronger than we are. They are giants and we are Grasshoppers in our own site and they say that too” they began to spread a bad report among the people. (Spreading dissension)

All because the majority saw the negative side of this they began to call for a new leader. They thought that a new leader would change things. When God had ordained the one there and he was ready to lead them. Yet again they began to complain and cry out instead of listening to what God was saying. They were on the verge of the promise land and they were ready to give up.

What are you going to do in the midst of your situation.. Are you going to complain and whine and ask God why me.. Why me God.

When the leadership does something YOU don’t like..  or you hear this and hear that.. or they take  you in a direction you don’t like… Are you going to call someone and whine about it and talk bad about the leader or about that person? Or are you going to Trust God He has placed them over you and you need to trust God is leading them and God is directing them.. You don’t know what’s on the other side of that sea.. You don’t know what’s on the other side of that valley.

It s very important how you respond to the transition of Authority God puts in your life. He has a reason for it and you don’t know what is going to happen in the future. Trust Him, rely on Him and know that He will make a way where there seems to be no way… Your Deliverance may be right behind you. Don’t look back at the enemy that is pursuing you.. But look ahead to your deliverance.

You May never see your promise if you don’t respond the right way. God has promised us our promise but there is a condition we need to respond to Him the correct way.. Trust him rely on him…

Better get to Living, Giving, Forgiven,

Loving along the way, Knowing, Showing,

More concerned where you going,

Thought about being more willing to make a better way

Be willing and forgivin’

Cause all healing has to start with you

You better stop whining, pining,

Get your dreams in line, And then just shine,

Design, refine Until they come true

Don’t sweat the small stuff Keep your chin up

Just hang tough And if it gets too rough

Fall on your knees and pray

And do that everyday

Share your dreams and share your laughter

Make some points for the great here after

Dolly Parton “better get to livin”