In Exodus God makes it clear that HE is in control. The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was so that His strength and might would be known and that His people would learn to fear no circumstance or army, but only Him.
Often times we find ourselves in a situation that looks hopeless and we start to question why God has brought us here or why is this happening to me.
“Why must we be faced with such trying circumstances?”
When God told me to go back home to my husband and fight for my marriage; I was excited at what He was going to do. My relationship with Him had grown and I knew He had made some changes in my life. I was ready to be the wife He had called me to be and love my husband unconditionally and fiercely. He had spent the last year teaching me to trust Him while revealing areas of my heart and life that needed to be completely surrendered to Him. He brought me to a point where I could say, “I trust you Lord with myself, my husband and my marriage”.
But when I got back, the first sign of struggle I began questioning God, “Why did you bring me back if nothing was going to change?” I questioned what I didn’t understand and lost focus; all of a sudden I started sinking. Why? Because my focus had shifted, it wasn’t on His face, it wasn’t on the bigger picture, and it was now on me! I had become self-focused and I quickly became miserable.
The Israelite’s had seen Gods might and power when HE brought them out of the land of Egypt. As soon as they were in the midst of a situation they couldn’t understand and became overwhelmed with fear, which made them to question why Moses led them into the wilderness; forgetting all together that God was the one who brought them there, not Moses.
“But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness
toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of
the land of Egypt equipped for battle” (Exodus 13:18)
Don’t miss it! He said they were equipped for battle, why? Because they had HIM and HE would fight for them! He could have led them a shorter way, but that way would have meant war with the Philistines. A war that would have scared the mess out of them; one they couldn’t have seen coming. But God knew so out of HIS mercy HE led them a longer way to show them that they would have to trust GOD to fight for them. We can’t see what’s ahead, but God can. We don’t have to understand everything, but we do have to trust God. He promises to fight for us; HE will not lead us astray.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Wives we are not fighting against our husbands; yet there is a war raging against marriages,and it isn’t one that we can fight in our own strength. It’s not just our fight, it’s Gods fight! HE will fight for us and through us as we stand firm trusting Him with our marriage.
Let’s take a moment to pray for our marriage!
Lord keep my focus on YOU where it belongs, do not let me be shaken by fear, but help me to stand firm on your promises. Protect me as I place my trust in you Lord. I give you all of myself, and my marriage. Help me to see the bigger picture and your greater purpose for my marriage. Use me Lord to shine your light while you write your story on my heart, so that in me the world may see you! (Francesca Battistelli- Write Your Story)
In Jesus precious name, Amen!
Building strong marriages together,
Ashley Ladd
Amen! I love the passages you shared. We cannot fight this battle alone. God has to fight for us. It is amazing that our heavenly Father loves us so much!! Thank you for sharing Ashley!
It is my pleasure Heather, and Yes I’m in constant ah of our Heavenly Father 🙂
Great job, Ashley!! So true, well written
Great post, Ashley. We all face challenging circumstances and must choose to follow Christ and allow Him to love through us. The Lord usually changes us first, then the circumstances change. Thank you for sharing your heart!
My pleasure Deborah 🙂 and your absolutely right, first we allow him to change us then our attitude changes and then our circumstance 🙂 He is worthy of all Praise. Thank you 🙂