Friday, March 28, 2014

DEVOTION: Facing the Impossible ~ by Kathi Macias.

Is there any better example anywhere of God fighting for His people than in Exodus, where He used Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt? The story of God’s deliverance involves plagues, death of firstborns, and the parting of a great body of water. God’s people escaped on dry land, while others drowned when the waters of the Red Sea returned to their original place. Quite a dramatic and epic event!

I suppose the one thing that stands out to me most in this story is the statement above, that the Lord will fight for his people when they keep silent. Anyone else find that the toughest thing to do at times? Seriously, once we’ve sought (and received) God’s clear direction on something, why do we find it so difficult to keep silent as we watch His plan unfold? Is it because He most often chooses to do things differently than we think He should? Do we feel compelled to question Him, and even try to correct Him, when we grow uncomfortable with the way things are going?

I can only imagine how the Israelites felt when they realized they were trapped between the fire-breathing Egyptians and a huge body of water. Now what? Where do we go now? Did You really mean to bring us here, Lord? Couldn’t You at least provide a few boats so we can get across to the other side before our former captives annihilate us?

God calls us to prayer and obedience, not whining and second-guessing. I know that, but I confess on many occasions to giving in to the latter rather than sticking with the former. And then I wonder why God doesn’t step in and work things out as I think He should.

Is it possible He’s simply waiting for me to “keep silent” before Him, to trust that He will fulfill His purposes—in His way and in His time, for His glory? If you, like me, struggle with trusting God, particularly in the face of fears and uncertainties, perhaps it’s time we all practiced keeping silent a bit more—and watching to see how God will part the waters in front of us.

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. 

Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.

5 comments:

  1. Keeping silent is quite difficult for me. It's taken half a century for me to finally internalize that God really is God and has a perfect plan from His point of view, not mine.

    It is so difficult for us to grasp that we will never be able to wrap our finite little minds around the entirety of an Infinite God. Accepting that limitation is the first step toward wisdom.

    Thank you, Kathi, for reminding us that our words are not as important as our silent, reverent waiting.

    Psalm 4: 4 - Stand in awe, and sin not:
    commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. (KJV)

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  2. Be Still and know that I am God ! I find it easier to remember to be silent when I think on this verse.
    Love and Blessings
    Linda Finn
    Faithful Acres Books
    www.faithfulacres.net
    faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com

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  3. Thank you once again Kathi for another timely reminder! How much easier it is for me to attempt to advise the Lord on what would be the best option! Funny but it rarely works out!

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  4. I think a few of us have trouble with that idea of staying silent before God and letting Him work things out. Thanks Kathi for the timely reminder.

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  5. Thank you for the great reminder, Kathi!

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