Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Back to Egypt

The Bible has a few examples of people looking back instead of looking forward, pressing toward the finish line with their eyes on the promised Messiah.

Lot drug his feet and really did not want to leave town, his wife looked back...some of the most famous words in the Bible are found in Gen. 19: 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. She looked back, let's face it their life was not so great in their former home. Sin abounded, Lot offered his daughters to the depraved men who were trying to break into his house.

To me the most astounding story of looking back is the story of the Israelites thinking this is the pits, let's go back to being slaves in Egypt.

Numbers 20:2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! 4 Why did you bring the LORD's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!"

Think of the miracles and provision these people experienced!!! How soon they forgot and thought - slavery smavery, it was not so bad, we had a lot of food choices. Before we think what was wrong with those people, we have to remember we are those people.

Many times an old situation which is not healthy, or a relationship which is not pleasing to God, or even an old habit is so familiar it seems better than the here and now and the future. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord and press forward - following Him.

Feast on the words from Phil 3:12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

The next time you feel like returning to Egypt take a deep breath and look toward the Lord and race for Him.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Amen, Sister. God gave me two verses on January 1st. Isaiah 43:18-19. I am forgetting my past, my "usual" way of handling things. I am look forward to our LORD, following His path for me.

Blessings~
Sheryl

annie's eyes said...

You're right. Our Egypts aren't even that great. Yet, we long to return to the familiar, rather than going forward, not looking back. Something scary about moving forward, yet God is calling ahead of us, preparing the way for us to walk toward perfection. Great reminder this afternoon. Love, Annette G

luvmy4sons said...

Great post! Amen!

Cheryl Barker said...

"Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead" -- this phrase guides and encourages me often. So thankful for God's wisdom and Word...

KimberlyMDavis said...

Thank you for sharing this. It has ministered to me more than words can express.

Be Blessed!

Kim
Knoxville, TN