Trusting God From Here to There

From Egypt to the promised land of Canaan we find the Israelites experiencing opportunity after opportunity to follow God. God was taking them from where they were to where HE wanted them to be. The route wasn't the most direct route and God used sinful people (Pharaoh) as well as His servants (Moses) to get the job done. Sister, we are very much like the Israelites- God has a plan for us and His ways are best... if we could only trust Him totally. The Israelites were just like us often asking Moses, "why and how" along with living in fear. Those things are often found together: doubt and fear. There is a bridge that provides a safe passage over doubt and fear and that bridge is called "TRUST"!

The thing about bridges is that they are all different. One of the things I love to see when traveling are bridges. As a child, I grew up in Charleston, SC. Back in the day there were two bridges connecting downtown Charleston to Mt. Pleasant. You have NEVER experienced a bridge unless you have traveled on the old John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. The main span of the bridge was the fifth-longest in the world at 1,050 feet (320 m) and soared 150 feet (46 m) above the river. The main span of the second cantilever was the twelfth-longest in the world. The total length of the structure was about 2.7 miles (4.3 km). Friend, driving across this bridge when there is a semi-truck in the lane beside you was more than an experience- it was like being on a roller-coaster feeling like there was no end! The steep approaches, stupendous height, extremely narrow width, and a sharp curve at the dip conspired to excite and alarm the drivers as well as passengers. Since experiencing that bridge, going over bridges and observing their style/ make up has often intrigued me. One thing I did learn from that old, beautiful bridge was to trust my driver to get me to the other side. Trusting the driver of our life (God) is much the same.

God has already planned every bridge and the perfect time in your life. You know, the times when the water of life that we are swimming, sinking or even feel like we are downing start to overcome us. The bridge may be shaky, small, scary, or even look like it doesn't reach to the other side but He is the driver and He has a plan. In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses told his people, "fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." Sister let me tell you, when we were crossing that bridge from Charleston to Mt. Pleasant, we sat still and were quite!

Trusting God with our life means believing He is going to make something happen. It means that we know God is working ALL things for His glory and our good pleasure. It means we believe that God can take what other mean for evil and use it for good. As Moses led the Israelites through the sea in Exodus 14, they had to trust God, put their feet in and begin walking. As they did, God provided a miracle that allowed their safe passage to the other side. In verse 25 the Egyptians realized that they had no hold on the God of Israel and said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." Sweet friend, God is fighting for you, ready to get you from where you are to where HE wants you to be if you will only have faith the size of a mustard seed. Let God fight you battles, drive your car and use that others mean for evil against you for good!

Before I end today, I want to jump down to verses 30-31, "Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.  Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses." Sweet sister, are you trusting God to bring you through to the other side? That may be trials that are heavy on you at this time, it may be a habit that you need to break, maybe you need to learn to budget your time to include an appointment with God daily. Whatever it is, God has made a bridge and is waiting for you to walk across. Take the first step of trust and pray for God to grant you strength to take the next step- I think you'll see that He ALWAYS provides a way! Isaiah 43:19 says, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

• Genesis 50:20: "...As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

• Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

• Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose".

• Philippians 1:6: "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, until the day of Christ Jesus".

• 1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast".

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