In the passage above, you see a familiar account of God leading the people in their Exodus from Egypt by a longer route, instead of by a way that was near. He led them by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea. We all know the latter story about the Red Sea, right? I need to restate the title you just read, “The Lord may let you go through something to show you something.” Perhaps he wanted to show them many things in the passage above. Possibly God wanted to show them that He will take care of His people. You ought to rejoice in that fact. It’s still true today. Maybe He wanted to show them how to follow as he led them on the way, in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. You ought to revel in the fact that God will lead you and guide you through the dark times and the bright times you experience on your life journey. Perchance God wanted to show them that after He delivers you, He does not abandon you. I don’t know about you, but I am glad that the Lord will go with us all the way. Let me state the title again, “The Lord may let you go through something to show you something.”
There are multiple examples to support that statement. Abraham would have to go through years of life until he was blessed with Isaac. Isaac had to go to be sacrificed, until the Lord sent a ram in the bush to take his place. The children of Israel had to walk around the city of Jericho, following God’s instructions, until He, the Lord, caused the walls to come tumbling down. The three Hebrew boys had to go through the fiery furnace before being delivered, and in the end, their prior declaration was validated, that the Lord is able to save them. “The Lord may let you go through something to show you something.’
Noah and those on the ark had to wait, and wait, and wait, until the waters had subsided, and they could exit the security of the ark and began a new start. Job had to suffer a great loss before he was blessed by God with much more than he lost. The world had to wait 42 generations, unable to have a way to safety and eternal security, and everlasting life, that is until Jesus Christ showed up on the scene. Jesus started with twelve apostles, but eleven of them, plus a replacement for the betraying Judas, a man named Paul, saw a light on the Damascus Road, but had to go on Straight Street before starting his ministry. Nevertheless, eventually this small group of men would turn the world upside down, or as I say, “upside right.” Here this truth again: “The Lord may let you go through something to show you something.”
Ask David! Ask Samson! Ask the woman at the well in Samaria! Ask the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment! Ask the four men that brought their paralyzed friend through the crowd and down the roof to get their friend to Jesus. Ask the disciples on the stormy sea, before Jesus shouted, “Peace! Be Still!” Ask the disciples who did not think a small lad’s lunch would feed a multitude of 5,000 men, plus women and children and let them tell you what happened, how the Lord too small means and brought about great results! Ask the thief on the cross! Ask any believer who has ever had to wait on the Lord! Ask me! It is true, my friend! “The Lord may let you go through something to show you something.”
Whatever you are going through, stay alert, keep your eyes open, don’t miss what the Lord is trying to show you. Have a super Saturday and don’t forget where you are to be Sunday! Be blessed!
“These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.” (I Peter 1:7 The Living Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King