“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7
In Part 2 of When God Steps In – A Prophetic Word, we looked at the incredible parting of the Red Sea of the Exodus. We looked at the when of when God steps in as well as how we can be successful until God steps in. We answered the question of how we should wait on God until He steps in as well as how God steps in. In Part 3 we will look first at the appropriate response to when God steps in as well our response when God doesn’t step in like we wanted Him too. We are going to see some pitfalls from the children of Israel that we would do well to consider while waiting for God to step in. Let’s get going.
What did the children of Israel do in response to God parting the Red Sea, in response to God stepping in? They made a song and worshipped the LORD!
15 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying:
“I will sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!
2 The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
3 The Lord is a man of war;
The Lord is His name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 The depths have covered them;
They sank to the bottom like a stone.
6 “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
7 And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble.
8 And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’
10 You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.
13 You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.
14 “The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
16 Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O Lord,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.
17 You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O Lord, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.
18 “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”
19 For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
Such a glorious song of worship for our glorious Almighty God who steps in when there is no way out. Our response to God stepping in should be heartfelt and since worship. When was the last time you worshipped like this before the LORD? Have you ever worshipped like this before the LORD? This could be a time of self-examination for you.
And look, a word of prophecy from long ago from the prophetess Miriam, the sister of Aaron.
20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them:
“Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!”
Wonderful worshipful song. But them what happened?
Complaining Before God Steps In
Exodus 15 goes on to share this account:
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”
What?! They complained? After such an incredible victory? After God stepped in when there was no way out? Yes, they had short memories. And don’t shake your head, we too have short memories. How can we guard against short memories and complaining against such a wonderful God who steps in to help us?
25 So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
Now that is interesting. In the Bible are what is called types and shadows; symbols, metaphors, illustrations of deeper truths. So, when it says, “the LORD showed him a tree,” we should ask, “Is this ‘tree’ significant? Should it remind us of another tree?” And the answer is YES!
The Cure for Complaining – THE CROSS OF CHRIST!
The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. In the New Testament we find these inspired words of Paul:
- Galatians 3:10–13 – 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
Now look at those last words, “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” It speaks of Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” And then it explains, “cursed is everyone who hands on a tree.” What tree did Jesus hang on? THE CROSS!
The point? THE CROSS IS THE CURE FOR COMPLAINING. The point is that, the cure for the bitter waters of complaining is the cross of Christ. If we want to avoid a complaining spirit, then we should live the words of Paul who was inspired to write:
- Galatians 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Take up the cross of Jesus (e.g. Luke 9:23-26), and follow Him, and you’ll be in a good position to see God step into your life. Do that, and these words will apply:
There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, 26 and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters.
If we take up the cross and trust the LORD, there’s a lot of worldly diseases we can free ourselves from. That’s what happens when God steps in. Are you ready for God to step in to your life and life situation? All you have to do is cry out to Him. Then follow what He says and watch.
What Happens if God Doesn’t Step in The Way I Expect?
I’m sure some of you are wondering something like, “Does God always step in? And if He doesn’t, what does that mean for me?” It’s true, God doesn’t always step in and intervene the way we would like Him too. Sometimes it may be His will to suffer and go through trials. That should be obvious to anyone who has lived any amount of time in this life.
In 2 Corinthians 12 the Apostle Paul testifies to how he prayed three times for God to step in and relive him of a thorn in his flesh. We don’t know exactly what this “thorn” was, but we know that God chose to allow it to remain in his life. God had a greater plan for Paul. And He may have a greater plan for us. God’s response to Paul was:
- 2 Corinthians 12:8–10 – 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
You see, sometimes God’s plan is for us to be a testimony of how His grace is always sufficient no matter what we go through. Sometimes that is the greater need; the greater good; God’s will for us.
The first epistle of Peter from which we took our prophetic verse 1 Peter 5:6-7 is itself a letter written to those who’ve been displaced by persecution. It is an epistle on suffering and why God allows it. Some would propose a very shallow faith which never allows for suffering being part of God’s plan. That is unscriptural. God does deliver. God does heal. But the testimony of scripture is that sometimes God permits His children to die for their faith or experience difficulty. That is reality. Go ahead, read 1 Peter 4, the context for our prophetic verses in this study:
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now
“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Look at those last words, “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” That sums it up perfectly. Even though God allow us to suffer, it doesn’t make Him any less faithful. That’ s the truth.
So, what do we do when God chooses for us to go through difficulty? Lauren Daigle wrote a song that sky rocketed to the top of the charts. It’s called “Trust in You.” It’s a popular song because it expresses an evident reality of life; sometimes God doesn’t remove the mountains or part the sea. The lyrics of the song are worthy citing here:
“Trust In You”
Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see
I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You’re by my side
When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less
When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go
You’ve not already stood
When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You![1]
So, if you cry out and pray for God’s to move a mountain or part a sea in your life, and His will is for you to go through it instead of His removing it, then plan to simply trust in Him. Pray and ask Him to increase your faith. Don’t give up or think God loves you any less. It is just a part of His plan. Be ready to trust God whatever His will is for you.
Prayer:
Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name. I humble myself before Your mighty hand and casts all my cares upon You. You care for me. Thank You LORD. I worship You. I praise You for all You have done, are doing and will do in my life and the life of those around me. Please help me to have the faith to not complain. Please help me to live in view of the cross of Jesus. Help me to trust the sufficiency of Your grace to help me through life. Help me to trust in You, no matter what. In Jesus’ name, amen.
[1] https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/laurendaigle/trustinyou.html