Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
I attended a graduation ceremony for a group of people celebrating the completion of a program called ‘Freedom Session’. This healing and discipleship ministry draws its adherents through a progression of steps that address current and past hurts, bondage or habitual sin, and when you think you’ve understood the problem, it draws you deeper yet into an understanding of who you are in Christ and how He heals you from these hurts.
The reconciliation of our past can be a critical component for moving forward into the future. I went through this program almost a year ago and it was transformational in searching deep and finding those areas of hurt or guilt that affects our actions today.
When you consider all that this life entails, whether you are young or old, the way can seem overwhelming at times. The concern for current events only melds into the myriad of people telling you to prepare for this, or be careful of that, the warnings are everywhere. Even though we aren’t wandering through the wilderness, following Moses, fearful of impending attack or where we might get our water, the Lord reminds us that we are not alone.
Consider some reminders He has issued in the past:
Deuteronomy 3:22 “Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.”
Deuteronomy 1:30 “The LORD your God, who goes before you, will fight for you, just as you saw Him do for you in Egypt”
Exodus 15:3 “The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name.”
2 Chronicles 20:29 “And the fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.”
You see, regardless of the dangers at hand, you have not been left alone to fend for yourself. Whether your concern is about your health and the uncertainty of your future, or you feel like you are having your freedoms taken away by oppressive leadership or financial security, the uncertainty of life is a continuous reminder that we are not in control.
Who is in Control?
Control can be an extremely difficult prospect to consider. If you feel like you are in control of a particular situation then you think you can have some measure of determining the outcome.
I propose this: control is ultimately an illusion.
You might determine your diet thinking your are controlling your health future, only to find out later the things you placed your trust in didn’t stop the heart disease or cancer from occurring.
You might rule over your financial decisions with calculated risk and hopeful expectation, only to discover that other factors led to loss of capital and a financial future that is uncertain.
Whether you try to control your life or someone else’s, the moment you realize your losing your grasp, either anxiety, anger, or depression can be a common response.
Can you echo the sentiments of David?
Psalm 4:8 “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
Why can the Lord be Trusted?
- He knows you.
- He created you.
- He has your future in mind.
- Money is no obstacle for Him.
- He measures your days, you will not die prematurely.
- If He is doing the leading, nothing will stand in your way.
One of if not the greatest decision in anyone’s life is the question of whether you will Trust in the Lord or you will trust in yourself.
This question is important for the believer and unbeliever alike. It takes a faith in God to trust Him for salvation and it takes faith to walk with Him after you do. The single greatest obstacle to a believer who wants to grow in their faith is trusting in God for His provision and His leading.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”
If your choice is to fully trust in the Lord, no matter what comes your way, peace rules over your heart.
Working in health care, I see this in people all the time. The believer who is secure in Christ simply does not fear. They remain steadfast in the knowledge that God has already shown them time and time again…He remains faithful.
Can you release control to Him?
It isn’t easy giving up what you think you have controlled to the One who is in control. It is in our sinful human nature to desire to elevate ourselves into a position that only God controls.
Trust in Christ and watch the anxiety and fear just melt away. We can trust Him because He loves us. He has the power to complete the work He began in us from the start. He knows our future and has prepared something great in the end.
Let go…Let God take control.
U.T. 