Progressing in God

Dear friends. I would like to share with you a gem of truth. In the book of Exodus, we read an amazing story of how God develops His purpose in you from the moment you receive Him as Lord. Israel is our example. Once God had taken them out of Egypt, the Israelites witnessed an incredible battle and God’s victory as the Egyptian army drowned in the Red Sea. Israel, standing on the other side of the sea, rejoiced at what they saw with their own eyes. They might of thought that this was the last battle they would have to face before entering in the promised land. They had no idea that before they could enter the promised land, they would have to face and overcome challenges. God has a goal for each and every one of us and He also designed a plan for fulfillment. From chapter 15-33 in the book of Exodus, we see one of many examples of the progressive work of God in our life. Right after their victory over the Egyptian army, Israel encountered a new problem. They had no water for three days. They began to complain. By making bitter water sweet, God was trying to teach them their first lesson; that God can meet their need in any circumstance. In Chapter 16, we see another life lesson from God. God provided manna on a strictly daily basis, thus teaching Israel to trust Him on a daily basis. In Chapter 17, the Israelites encounter the Amalekites and were forced to fight their first war. This was the next step in their spiritual growth and it is interesting to note that the only time the Israelites were winning the battle was when Moses had his hands lifted up. Only through intercession and prayer can the battle be won. The battle is the Lord’s and the victory is ours if we truly trust in Him.

As you can see, God has a purpose for every test and battle in our life. He brings us to a place where we are ready to function by His Spirit effectively with greater anointing. It would be much easier if we could reach that place without having to experience times of testing. But because God knows our frame and that we are dust (Psalm 103:14), He will continue to work in us until we are fully submitted to and aware of His will. As we can see, God did not stop working on Israel in chapter 17. The next lesson took place in the administration of the house of Israel because God is a God of order. God brought Jethro to correct Moses and to help him administrate God’s people. After all these things, in chapter 19 and 20, God brought Israel to the mount of Sinai, which happened to be the next place where Israel received further instruction from the Lord. It is here that Israel heard the voice of God and received the moral law and the covenant. It is possible that Israel did not fully realize what God was doing in their midst beginning from the time He took them out of Egypt. The same is true for believers. We do not realize or understand what God is doing in our life and where He plans to leads us. God has a plan for each and every one of you; a great and exciting plan. He will lead us all the way in fulfilling that plan in our life.

God instructed Moses to come up to the Mount of Sinai in order to place into his hands the pattern of the tabernacle- the place where God would dwell among His people. God had a great plan. He was preparing Israel step by step to be His chosen generation, royal priesthood and holy nation that would proclaim the praises of God. Unfortunately, the enemy does not sleep. He will try to step in just when God is about to bring you to a higher level. We see this happen tragically with Israel. While He received the law of God and the pattern for the tabernacle, the Israelites built a golden calf. The truth in this passage shows how much we need to know the mind and will of God. Centuries later, God sadly declared through His prophets that “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”. It’s tragic because God was trying to teach His people for centuries, His perfect plan and will. As He said in Jeremiah, “Only I know the thoughts toward you, the thoughts of good and not of evil. To give you a future and hope.”

In conclusion, I want encourage you to keep trusting God. Don’t let the enemy build a golden calf in your life. God has a better plan for you.

By: Messianic Rabbi Gennady Livshits