Do Right, And Trust Him In Stormy Seasons

Exodus 1:15-17 says, "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live."

The midwives did what was right because they feared God and was not intimidated by the world. Think of the last time you had such a clear-cut choice between doing what's right and doing what's wrong. Maybe it was a good-night kiss that started to go too far. Maybe it was a fool-proof cheating plan that could have saved your grade. Maybe it was a perfect opportunity to stick it to someone you can't stand. Whatever the circumstances, you probably discovered that doing the right thing usually comes with a price, whether's it's postponing sexual pleasure, getting a low test grade or being labeled a wimp. Keep in mind, though, that doing what's right also comes with a benefit. God sees - and rewards - every good decision you make.

You might have lots of struggles with certain stuffs in your life. But hey, sometimes you just got to commit it to God and admit to Him how weak you are without Him. Just as God heard the Israelites groaning in Egypt, He hears your "groaning" today. He knows the things you're struggling with at home, at work, at school. He knows the doubts you have about your faith. He knows the worries that run through your head when you lie in bed at night. He didn't forget about the Israelites. He won't forget about you either. No matter how often you work out in the gym, or how much you push-ups you can do, the fact is, you're not that strong. But don't get discouraged; He's strong enough for you - strong enough to deliver you from any obstacle you might ever face.

Now, you might be praying for a long time, asking Him for certain things in your life. The thing is, once He's answered you, how long does your humility last once He's answered your prayer? Many times, God doesn't answer our prayers not because He doesn't want to bless us - but because He wants to build us up, make us strong in His Word, mold us into the character of His liking, only then He will give us the desires of our hearts. But why are some things taking so long?

Exodus 13:17-18 says, "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle."

Hint: God may not always take you on the quickest route, but He'll always get you to where you need to be, when you need to be there. He knows what He's doing, remember - He's the same God that created you. (He's the same God that has been the God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob and God of Joseph. Today, He is our God too!)

Now, when things don't proceed the way we want them to, what do we do? Do we fall away from Him? Do we blame Him for not providing, guiding, leading, and protecting us? Do we start to find our security somewhere else other than God?

Exodus 14:13-14 says, "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”"

The fact is, there's nothing remarkable about trusting God and praising Him when everything's going your way. But if you can keep that attitude of trust and praise when things go seriously wrong, you're going to open a lot of people's eyes to what a relationship with God is really like!

Joshua 1:7-9 says, "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law (Bible) always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

It's okay to worry, and it's okay to be afraid. We are humans after all, we all have a million things running through our mind everyday. But when you're worried about what's going to happen tomorrow, when you're afraid about the future, repeat this: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." - Psalm 56:3

- WHEN YOU ARE AFRAID, PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD -