8.2.25 ~ Always forward with memories

Good morning!

Shabbat shalom and happy 14th day of counting towards the first fruit of the oil!

It's been said, "You can't steer a parked car"! "A ship in the dock is not what ships were made for"! "Egyptian enslavement will not get you to the Promised Land." And the master of the obvious statements could go on and on...

Life is about achieving what you were designed to become! It's about moving forward. It's about arriving at your destination! And for us, spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally and financially speaking Egypt/slavery to the world system is not it.

This week's Torah portion, Devarim (Deut. 1:1-3:29) is anything but stationary! It's all about moving forward while reflecting on the past! Overcoming fear and doubt! Believing! Learning! Trusting! And always moving forward according to God's leadership!

The Apostle Paul tells us that the journey of the Israelites is the outline for our journey and race in Messiah (1 Cor. 9:24-10:11). There is a prize waiting for those who run to win (1 Cor. 9:24-27) and nothing for those who stay in the parking lot, the dock or in the default setting of Egyptian slavery (1 Cor. 10:6,11).

"They" say, 'it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks'. It's so true! Once habits are established in life it's tough to overcome those ingrained patterns that have molded us into what we are today. However, God, by His mighty right hand and outstretched arm, provides deliverance for us to leave our past enslavement and mindsets behind (Deut. 26:8). Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, 4/5 of the Israelites, through their unbelief in that provision stayed behind in Egypt. Only 1/5 of them started their car, untied the rope from the dock and left for the Promised Land (Ex. 13:18).

God's faith-filled people made the choice. We're leaving! We're heading towards our destiny. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step and It's going to take them nearly 50 days to get to their 1st major stop at Mt. Sinai, where they would receive God's Torah/Instructions (Ex. 3:12).

Life is filled with obstacles and giants (zoom call at 8:00 a.m. EST 699 858 9149). Moments in time when it feels like there is no way out. Yet, with every obstacle there are options. The question we must all ask ourselves, when we arrive at these moments brought upon through God's leadership, is 'What do I do'? There are really only 4 options at every roadblock in life.

Moses addressed them all (Ex. 14:13,14)!

"And Moses said to the people, do not be afraid! Stand still and see the salvation/Yeshua of the Lord, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace (Ex. 14:13,14).

Israel was up against the wall. There was no escape. It's been six days since they left Egypt and now Pharaoh's army is breathing down their neck, trapped on the edge of the Reed Sea/Yom Suf (Ex. 14:9)...it's option time!

1. They could let despair control their emotions and drown themselves in the sea.
2. They could go back to Egypt and become slaves again to their previous life.
3. They could fight the 600 chariots and trained warriors of Pharaoh's army, which they could have easily overpowered.
4. They could wait and see the salvation/Yeshua of the Lord

Life decisions haven't changed in 3,500 years, have they? Whether it's an addiction, or you're just up against the proverbial wall, there's really only 4 choices. End it all. Revert back to your old way of life. Fight. Or be still and recognize that God guided you to this point and He will deliver you out.

For those who want to end it all...Moses says, 'don't be afraid'. 'Hold your peace'.
For those who choose the default setting and opt to go back into their previous lifestyle of slavery...Moses says, 'you're never going to see these Egyptians again.
For those who are fighters, regardless of the outcome, Moses says, 'The Lord shall fight for you.'
For those who recognize God guided you to this 'rock and hard place'...Moses says, 'Stand still and see the salvation/Yeshua of the Lord.

Life decisions are hard, but the strong hand and outstretched arm of the Lord are just as powerful today as they were the day He delivered them through the sea.

Shabbat shalom!
Alan

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