Continue On

There is no doubt that this last week has just added to the craziness of this last year. For our United States readers, the still undecided outcome of the election with countless cases of fraud has left us feeling confused and possibly afraid about where this country is going. Even for our readers outside of the United States the election causes an amount of uncertainty since it affects the relationship of the nations. With all of this going on, I ask you now to join our brothers and sister around the world and pray. Pray for our countries and our leaders, pray for a smooth transition through the legalities of it all, and most importantly pray for the Lord’s will to be done. As we discussed last week, prayer is our biggest weapon and there are many pastors who are calling out for prayer during this time. It is through prayer that we can most easily see God at work, and I hope you pray, as I am, that the right outcome will come to pass.

The time that we are in reminds me of another time of uncertainty in the Bible.  I ask that you join me and look at Exodus 14, where Moses is leading the Jews out of Egypt. Behind them is Pharaoh and his armies, and in front of them is the Red Sea, the people were concerned that Moses had lead them here to die, “11 Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?” Exodus 14:11. They could see no way out of their current situation and figured that it would only end in death, either at the hand of Pharaoh or the sea. This is much like the situation we now face. Neither political party will truly admit that the other was the victor, one will always state that there was unfairness either through fraud or the idea that the election was stolen from them. Much like the Jews, we face an uncertainty at what the future holds.

Imagine then, how strange it would have been to be surrounded by danger and yet see Moses simply walk up to the Red Sea. Based on the fact that the Jews were asking Moses if he had led them out here to die, it is no wonder that many were probably thinking that he was crazy to think that they could pass through this situation. But Moses simply states, “13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, while you keep silent.”” Exodus 14:13-14. Do not fear! What a strange idea to process in their current situation! However, Moses knew that the Lord would not bring them to this situation just to see them parish. He knew that God had a plan for their salvation and they simply needed to wait for His plan to unfold, which we see happens in the rest of the chapter.

There are three important aspects that need to be applied today. The first aspect to point out is that Moses walked up to the sea.  He did not fret, he did not hurry, he knew that the salvation from the Egyptians would come on God’s timing.  This is important to us today as many are calling one candidate the victor. Do not rush to believe what media outlets tell you, remember that the media does not decide who is elected and there are still states that have not been decided. Be like Moses and remain steady in your faith that God will prevail and His will, will be done. Do not fear the outcome of this election for we know that God is in control of all things. “34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34. Do not worry about what is to come, God is still in control and He is much bigger than anything that we face.  Cast your cares on Him and continue to pray.

The second aspect that I want to point out is more of a warning, “14 The Lord will fight for you, while you keep silent.”” Exodus 14:14. This verse is not stating that we remain silent in the case of a wrongfully elected person and what is worst is many of today’s pastors telling churches to remain out of politics all together. We need to be doing all we can to make sure the legality of the election is meet. How this verse should be applied to us today, is no matter the situation we find ourselves in, the Lord will continue to fight for those who belong to Him. He will not abandon us, so hold fast and see what He will do.

Finally, we need to continue to move forward. “15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:15. Our time here is short, and our mission has not changed. We need to continue to encourage one another and continue with the great commission found in Matthew 28:18-20, “18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” God is still with us, He was with the Jews at the Red Sea and He will continue to be with us. We need to continue to put faith in Him, to wear His armor, and encouraging others. That is the constant in this time. There are still many who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, it is why we need to keep the focus on Him and to not worry about the days that we are in.

I ask you dear readers, to be like Moses in these times. Be sure of God’s salvation that you continue with the mission at hand, encourage one another, pray for our nations, and continue to preach the Gospel. God is still with us and will be until He either calls us home or we are raptured to Him. And if the American Church joins our brothers and sisters around the world in persecution, as one candidate has already hinted at, know that the Jesus warned that those who followed Him would face tribulation, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” John 15:18-20. Do not be worried about hardships because of our faith, for we know what it will lead to. James the brother of Jesus Christ wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4. As the days grow darker and the love of man fades from many, remember that no matter what happens Christ sits on the throne as the beginning and the end, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex