Hope From Exodus

While the new year just started only days ago, it seems that everywhere I look people are hurting. Whether it is Internet headlines, newspaper covers, my twitter fee or blog roll, all I read is words of pain, hurt, and a heart that is no longer as hopeful as it was days ago. It may be because it has rained 80% of the last 14 days. Today, I want to remind you that there IS hope for the future even though circumstances can  be unclear during difficult times in our lives. While we strive to make change or resolutions, remember to trust in the Lord and His faithfulness. 

As part of my efforts to become more intimate with the Lord, I recently joined the "She Reads Truth" community. I cannot tell you how impacting the devotions are each morning. The word of the Lord always seems to speak straight to my sinful heart and gives me a new perspective no matter what I'm facing in this life. Will you start new with me today? Even though it is not January 1, there is still hope and availability to make today a fresh start because His mercies are new every single morning when we rise. Will you open your heart for Jesus today? Are you willing to make time for the Creator? If so, dive in with me. Trust in Him. 

Today, as part of my efforts to share Him more with others, I want to share some of my Jesus with you through this post. Although I want to know God more, I want to make Him known more, too. I want to remind you that while we are still starting a new year, we are even starting a brand new day! How refreshing? The trials of 2013 have just begun, BUT remain hopeful, faithful and steadfast, ladies! Christ will prevail in the midst of our uncertainty. Will you rest in the hope that He will restore creation; that He will restore you? The newness of 2013 came and it was glorious, and it IS still coming again and again each morning as we arise with Jesus and trust in Him. 

Jehovah will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:14) And Jehovah said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. (Exodus 14:15)

"Each of us lives in a specific brokenness today, a place from which we cannot fathom freedom. Eventually, we learn our way around the darkness. We grow comfortable. There are times it feels so familiar we'd just as soon stay as venture into freedom’s light."

If you read the entire passage of Exodus 14, you will see that the Israelites were terrified. They did not know what was coming, but Jesus did. And, in the Moses moments of our own lives, when we are asked to believe what we cannot see, to walk in a way that seems beyond impossible, of course we are terrified of the uncertainty because we do not know the way either. "This is where Redemption’s work is done. Right here, in our fear, pain and helplessness. Right here, among the broken hearted and weary." The Lord prevails, just as He always has promised. He washes away every single stain and renews our heart. 

The Israelites’ doubt and forgetfulness did not disqualify them from God’s redemption and promise, nor did their past sin or even their future sin keep them from God’s rescue. God wrote the story. They had only to walk in it and trust in Him.

The Lord is writing your story, too. Despite whatever situation you may be facing this week, this morning or this month, hold fast to the Lord. Your sin, hurt, doubt, helplessness, and uncertainty will not disqualify you from God's redemption and His promise for eternal life. HE will intervene. HE will fight the battle for you. 

I adore this verse from Ephesians: "In Him we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace."

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. Thus Jehovah saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore. And Israel saw the great work which Jehovah did upon the Egyptians, and the people feared Jehovah: and they believed in Jehovah, and in his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:15, 30, 31)

My prayers are with those of you hurting and walking in the pain of uncertainty this week. Are you living today with a burdened heart? Hold tight, seek Jesus. Know that Jesus is working on your behalf at all times, even if you cannot see Him or feel His presence.

Don’t be afraid of change, because it is leading you to a new beginning.

"Make me ordinary like dust and dry bones, breathe Your life into me, make me extraordinary."

Are you struggling to believe that His grace and forgiveness covers you completely? Paul says in Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."

It is a gift. It is by grace that you are saved through your faith in Him. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you less. There is no sin too great that the Lord will not wash the stain away. Sisters and brothers, there is a fresh start waiting for you today! "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

If you would like to read more about She Reads Truth, click to follow the link to the community web page. To be honest, it was something that I hesitated to join at first. Then, after prayer, petition and great thought I decided to give it a chance. I dove in head first and am head over heels in love with the community of female believers that are seeking to read and share the Truth.

As always, until next time- Happy Blogging