Chicken or Egg?

“Now it came about when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near, for God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.’  Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt.” Exodus 13:17-18

“Now the Lord spoke to Moses saying, ‘Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea.

“And as Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. 

“But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.  The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.’” Exodus 14:1-2, 10, 13-14

“David experienced victory because he did two things that any one of the Israelite soldiers could have done.  He obeyed what God said first of all.  He knew the will of God in the situation, and he stepped out, took what appeared to be an enormous human risk, and he obeyed.  He did what he knew to be right, even though it meant stepping out alone.  But obedience has to be accompanied by trust.”*

Can you IMAGINE standing on the shore of that huge sea and being obedient and quiet and watching as the Lord managed this seemingly impossible and hopeless situation!?  I wonder sometimes if we should consider that obeying and trusting are so inexorably linked that when we waver in one, the other also suffers?  What do you think?

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY? Please send updates! For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Hans, is enjoying his new-found fellowship and is thankful for his new job (first full-time role since 2004).  Thanks everyone for praying for him.  For J&S, special friends, as they begin to manage some normal life for the first time in years.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  That those in the news media do not forget those still without power and heat from super storm Sandy and the volunteers who are still working tirelessly.

For Linda as she closed her practice that the Lord will show her which doors to open next after she rests a bit.  For Rob as the Lord works in a new way in his life...protect his health.  For Jodie as she deals with the knife edge of corporate politics.  For Kent & his mom, the doctors have stopped treatment for her cancer and are making her comfortable.  Laura S as she reaches out for answers, that she finds the Truth.  For Rik who just lost his mom.

Adrian, called yesterday as he was about to leave for the hospital and the doctor did not get the correct medicine for him and they are now delaying treatment   (His cancer is the same rare type as Deb below with link).  With the holidays so near, they may put all this off now till after the year. Please pray someone will take time to be with Adrian for the holidays.  He’s growing very tired and the pain meds no longer help.  If anyone’s near there, please let me know.  He needs some visitors & love!

That the Lord loves and comforts us through challenges we could not face without Him and for good friends during times of difficulty.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  David R doing well through complicated health challenges.  For Jon C, as he meets the challenges of life after a stroke.  Paul NS.  Tim (my little brother) with CPRD, needs financial help, especially with no health insurance -needs a disability pension.  Steve Barns for relief from great pain and depression. Tyler & Jenna as they continue to care for baby Bexleigh.

For a solution for Audley and Beverly (she’s disabled from a stroke and needs a carer during the day so Audley can go out and work). Tim B with headaches, that his doctor will OK a new procedure for relief.  For Carlton suffering from horrible infections in his bones.

Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/ ) Wisdom for doctors caring for so many, including Tim, Doris, David, Gary, Deb, Adrian and Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Barbara’s (sister-in-law) is eager to find new work since her project ended, especially now.  For Tim, my amazing brother, that he might find satisfying work that he is able to do.  Paul K who resigned from his job and is setting up a consultancy.  Pray for a new project for me and wisdom and strength from the Lord to make faith-based decisions.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes!  

Pray for PJ.  For Annette as she begins some new career adventures.  Pray for Isaiac Catorce, his family and ministry in the Philippines. Please pray for Deepak as he struggles through some challenges and searches for sponsorship for his work.  Pray for wisdom of my brother as he deals with an important matter.

For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Adam who’s becoming involved with a cult that’s filling many unmet needs.  Scott, for strength as he struggles and grows (for Donna as she encourages him).  For David K, in his studies. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael.  Elaine and Jim back in Hong Kong.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations suffering from global financial mismanagement.

 

 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price