Once
again I’d like to discuss where God guides He provides. When helping others in a time when basic
needs are unmet, one must understand three aspects in effectively targeting
solutions to this dilemma. These
include; assumptions that must be made, actions that must be taken, and analogies
that must be understood. First, we will
deal with the assumptions that must be made when leading others at a time when
they lack certain basic needs.
We all have basic human needs.
These include things like food, water, or raiment (clothing). At times, we may lack even these basic needs and
think, “This shouldn’t happen to someone whose life belongs to the Lord!” This can be a dilemma in which we find
ourselves wondering why the Lord neglected to provide for us, or contemplating
where we went wrong with the Lord, causing Him to punish us in this way.
In Exodus, we see the Israelites in a similar situation. They lacked water upon their arrival in
Rephidim, after a trek through the arid, desert wilderness. Here, God used Moses to fulfill this
need. This Biblical account is pertinent
even today, as there are economic tsunamis taking place all around the
country. For instance, as Christian Law
Association recently reported, the 2 major issues they currently deal with are;
bankruptcy and embezzlement. So, how shall we respond when basic needs are
unmet? Let’s look at what assumptions
must be made.
There are three assumptions that must be made when responding to
this problem.
First, we see that obedience
to God’s commandments may lead to extreme need. In Exodus, we see that the Israelites’ lack
of water was a result of their obedience.
The Bible says, “…according to the
commandment of the Lord.” God
clearly led them to Rephidim, using a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of
cloud by day. This was visual evidence
displaying how God, at times, allows His children to suffer despite their
obedience. Our natural response is to
look at a situation and draw an extraneous solution. We assume that if they were following God’s
will, He wouldn’t have led them to a place where they lacked a basic need. Never assume that God leads you to a place of
security and stability where all is provided.
It doesn’t work that way. Satan
would like us to believe that when God allows pressure in our lives, He’s not
Who we thought He was or doesn’t really care for us.
The second assumption that must be made is that similar or different problems will
eventually occur in our journey through life. This isn’t the first water problem the Jews
experienced. Previously, in the
wilderness, the Jews came across bitter water and subsequently, no water at
all. Just when you think you have a
problem solved, another one comes your way.
If we are going to be effective believers, or be led when a basic need
is unmet, we have to assume that obedience to God’s commandments may lead to a
position of extreme need. If it were
easier to follow the Lord than not to follow Him, our testimonies would be poor
and as a result, not glorify the Lord.
He is a Lord of faith, love, and commitment. God wants you to follow Him, not for what
He’s “handing out” to you, but because you love Him. Love is shown by remaining loyal to Him,
despite any negative circumstance faced.
In Exodus 17, it shows how the Israelites received water from
the rock, fulfilling a need, followed by involvement in a war with an enemy.
(This is a great prophecy lesson, indeed!) They seemed to encounter problems
around every corner. We must accept the
problems we face and praise the Lord whenever we don’t have a problem as one is
likely just around the corner. We should
not judge one’s love for God on the basis of the presence or absence of
problems in his/her life.
The third assumption is that we are not supposed to know what God is doing at any given time.
God doesn’t tell us everything that is going on. For instance we see in Exodus1:1, the Jews
travelled from the wilderness of sin to Rephidim. However, in Number 33:12, it says, “And they took their journey out of the
wilderness of sin and encamped in Dophka…encamped in Alush…encamped in
Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.” Some would say that God’s word has errors in
it. However, God is in the business of
telling you what you need to know, when you need to know it.
In conclusion, we need to have complete dependence on the Lord
by making certain assumptions. First, we
will have needs that won’t be met, which will strengthen our faith in
Christ. Second, we will encounter many
different problems throughout our life.
Third, we must understand that we’ll not know all that the Lord is doing;
however, it will be done for the glory of God.
When the Israelites griped, chided, and murmured against Moses, they
failed to lay their burdens before the Lord.
They lacked faith. The Lord
requires that we live by faith, not by explanation. Remember, where God guides-God provides!
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