Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
I once took part in a graduation ceremony for a group of people celebrating the completion of a program called ‘Freedom Session’. Known as a healing and discipleship ministry the program draws its adherents through a progression of steps that addresses 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.
Reconciling the past can be a critical component for moving forward into a life of freedom.
When you consider all that life entails, whether you are young or old, the journey can seem overwhelming. The uncertainty of current events melds into the myriad of people telling you to prepare for this, or be careful of that—-the warnings are everywhere. Even though God’s people are no longer wandering through the wilderness with Moses, the threats still remain and the need for living water is as vital as ever. The Lord still reminds His people that they are never alone, He guides and strengthens all along the way.
Consider the reminders God has given:
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.”
Regardless of all the dangers in life, God’s people have not been left alone to fend for themselves. Whether the concern is about bodily health, the uncertainty of the future, financial security, or loss of freedom—the uncertainty of life is a continuous reminder that we are not in control.
Who is in Control?
Control can be very difficult to measure. If you feel like you are in control of a particular situation then you think you can have some ability to determine the outcome.
What most people discover is how much control is ultimately an illusion.
Some try to moderate their diet thinking they are controlling their health, only to find out how the things they placed their trust in actually didn’t stop the heart disease or cancer from occurring.
Others might manage their financial decisions with calculated risk and hopeful expectations, only to discover that other factors led to loss of capital and a financial future that became uncertain.
Whether a person tries to control their life or someone else’s, the moment they realize they are losing their grasp—anxiety, anger, or depression creeps in and steals their joy.
If people want to echo the sentiments of David, they must recognize who is worth placing their trust in.
Psalm 4:8 “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
David discovered early on how faithful the Lord will be to those who place their trust in Him.
Why can the Lord be Trusted?
- He knows His people.
- He created everything and holds everything in His hands.
- He knows the future.
- He protects and guides.
- He numbers our days, nothing can change His purposes.
- If He is doing the leading, nothing can stand in the way.
The greatest decision in life is the prospect of whether a person will Trust in the Lord or only trust in themself.
The dilemma of belief becomes a matter of trust that is as important for the believer as the unbeliever. It takes a faith in God to trust Him for salvation and it takes faith to walk with Him after the decision. The single greatest obstacle to a believer who wants to grow in their faith is trusting in God for His provision each day. The unbeliever must believe that God is a liar, that His Word is not true, and that all of Creation was a giant cosmic accident.
Belief is revealed in how a person lives their life.
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.”
Everyone has a choice whether to fully trust in the Lord, no matter what comes along the way or trust only in themself—only Christ brings the peace that rules over the anxious heart.
Working in health care, I witness the dilemma of belief 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 how He remains faithful.
It’s not easy giving control over to Christ, it takes courage and a willingness to become vulnerable. It isn’t easy giving up control to another. It’s human nature to elevate the flesh into a position of prominence since most people like to be in control, but control is fleeting.
Trusting in Christ requires a release of that which you think you control into the hands of a loving Father. We can trust Him because of His great love. He has the power to complete the work He began from the start. He has a purpose in everything He does and has prepared something great for those who are faithful until the end.
Let go and let God take control of your life.
U.T. 