God's Ways… They Aren't Like Ours!

"The waters saw You, O God;

The waters saw You, they were afraid;

The depths also trembled.

The clouds poured out water;

The skies sent out a sound;

Your arrows also flashed about.

The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;

The lightning's lit up the world;

The earth trembled and shook,

Your way was in the sea,

Your path in the great waters,

And Your footsteps were not known,

You led Your people like a flock..." Psalm 77

"...your way was in the sea; your path was in the great waters..."

 

We acknowledge that Jesus indeed said that we would have tribulation in this world, yet how easily we are surprised by it and often find ourselves consumed by it. Then, get this. The very next thing Jesus said was "be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world".

 

I don't know about you, but the two don't mix; at all. But they must ... since Jesus said it.

 

 When will we understand that God's ways really, really are not our ways?  We know that scripture. We quote it, and then go off with our agendas, trying to maneuver around the obstacles, with the victory cry of "be gone in Jesus' Name". We like that. No one pushes us around. We have authority and we can speak to mountains after all.

 

Sometimes, we think we are so cutting edge, don't we? I heard that back in the '70's. We really, really believed we were the church age that was going to usher in Jesus (we may still be). There was a whole lot of good feeling going on back then. I remember some amazing times of feeling God's presence in church. Man, if it feels like this, Jesus can't be far behind, right?

 

Well, here we are 30 years later and I haven't heard any trumpets lately, have you? I learned a long time ago (because I am brutally honest with myself) that oftentimes when you think something...or believe something...there is more. God is multi-faceted. He is a mystery and as long as I try to box Him in, He creates another box.

 

I've been a part of the age of advancing into the enemy's camp with my shield of faith. This is good. But that may look different than you would think. We immediately imagine a zealous, passionate, sold-out believer that leads the way. Did you know, that "having done all... stand" is just as sold-out? What? I don't have to speak, run, shout, or even smile? You got it.

 

Job sat in ashes and scraped his oozing sores. He had absolutely no support from anyone. In fact, his wife told him in so many words to pack it in and his three “so called friends” absolutely heard from God and knew the reasons for his demise. Yet, Job was sought out by Satan and given permission by God to do what he wished except take his life. And for me, Job is an example of another way God works. Don't you think there had to be an ache in Job's heart until the day he died because of the children he lost? God blessed him amazingly at the end, but certainly there were battle scars on Job's heart. Yet, his example speaks to me:  not my will but thine be done.  Job was not prevented from the trouble, but was called to go through it.

 

God's ways are not our ways. Let me say that again.  God's ways are not our ways.  Yet, we still act as if they are.

 

God could have done a whole lot of things differently in delivering the Israelites. It would have been nice if Pharaoh listened the first time. It would have been nice if the Israelites were not slaves to begin with. The whole thing was not a tidy package after following a 3 point formula for success. Moses just kept doing what God told him to do. Were there shouts of "this is not the will of God!" No. Apparently, there was a whole lotta noise going on when the Red Sea parted. Not like the picture books that showed a nice path with smiling Israelites. It took a whole lot of atmospheric pressure to get the job done (I like the part where it says the waters saw God and were afraid and trembled). And yet, this...this is how God wanted it done. And-  He led His people like a flock...

 

What is God doing in your life? Is your way in the sea? Is your path in the great waters?

 

Can you imagine the terror of walking through the Red Sea ?

 

Exodus 14 tells us that the pillar of cloud stood behind the Israelites, causing darkness over the Egyptian camp and light by night to the Israelite camp. The Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind and there was a wall of water on each side. One resource explains that the deepest part of the path that was taken is as deep as 2,600 feet.

 
But what about Satan? Isn't he the cause of all our troubles? Aren't we supposed to rebuke him? The Bible states: "the Lord rebuke you". We're supposed to  resist  him, and he will flee.

 

Resist him and be firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.  1 Peter 5:9

 

Jesus had a lot to say when He said nothing.

 

The same God who led you in will lead you out. But we have to first see that it is  God  who is leading us and not Satan. A long time ago I settled it in my heart that everything has to pass by God before it hits me. Since then, I've been a whole lot happier. We are not at Satan's disposal, nor are we unequipped to deal with him. Whatever trials we face in life have a purpose since God works all things together for our good. When we know that, and believe that, we will be happier.

 

God wants us to be lights for Him, but He also wants us to be happy. It's not all work and no play. He didn't place us in a dark, dismal world to live each day as a crucifix, carrying out only the purposes of God. He has placed us in a fallen world, but a world that is not without His help. And he has placed us in a beautiful world for us to enjoy.

 

Your way may be through the sea. Your path may be in the great waters. If you haven't stood on the shoreline yet, you will. And know that the pillar of cloud is behind you, blocking the enemy's clear view of you. It may not feel like it. It may not look like it. But lift up your eyes. Because ahead is the light that God blocked from the enemy's camp ... that is bright enough even for the darkest night of your soul. And your faith, even the size of a mustard seed, is enough for you to take the first step of trust.

 

And you will find that the path is dry land ... not the terror of an angry sea.

But what if? What if how I prayed, how I believed, what I hoped for ... didn't happen? It doesn't always turn out the way we want. 

You have a choice. Trust or throw in the towel. But where will you go? He alone has the words of life. 

Whether things went the way we wanted or not, He will never leave us or forget about us. His presence, His grace, His love, His peace ... is available when we are disappointed, dismayed, disillusioned, and desperate. And it sustains us.

God's ways… they aren't like ours.