BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today."
Exodus 14:13
Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place? That place is not where we like to be. That place feels like a no-win kind of place.
When I was called into the ministry, my wife Debbie did NOT want that for us. Her dad was a pastor. She had grown up in that "fish bowl" environment. She had experienced her dad always being gone because church matters and church members took him away from home so many nights each week. She said, "Jeff, I never would have married you had I thought you would go into the ministry. I do not want this for my children and me. You don't know what it is really like, but I do."
She continued, "Jeff, you have put me in a no-win situation. I am damned if I do and damned if I don't. If I try to keep you from doing what God wants you to do, you will be miserable, and I will, therefore, be miserable. And if I go with you into the ministry, I will once again be miserable because you will always be gone and our girls will grow up like I did." Debbie felt like she was between a rock and a hard place. Can you relate to that feeling?
GOD LIKES THAT PLACE
While we do not like being between a rock and a hard place, God likes it when we get there. In fact, He often leads us there in order to do His greatest work in our lives.
When God brought His ancient people out of Egypt, He led them to the shores of the Red Sea. Pharaoh had let them go as a result of all the plagues, but because of his pride and hard heart, he went back on his decision and came after Israel with a vengeance.
Here was the picture: God's people had the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh and his armies behind them. They could not go forward, and they could not go back. They were between a rock and a hard place. Death and destruction seemed certain. They cried out in fear, despair and complete faithlessness. No doubt, as Pharaoh witnessed this event, he said with a chuckle, "Moses' God is not much of a general. He has led His people to a dead-end." Oh really, great Pharaoh?
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD'S GREATEST MIRACLE
Pharaoh did not realize that Moses' God could part the sea. The people of God did not believe that was possible either. But God told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea and have the people go forward. As God's people stepped out in faith, the sea was parted. The rock was split, so to speak. God did His greatest Old Testament miracle in the midst of the worst of circumstances, in the very place where it seemed they could not win.
Are you between a rock and a hard place today? Is the Red Sea in front of you and the creditors behind you? Are you crying out in fear, despair and faithlessness?
TRUST GOD, OBEY GOD AND GO FORWARD. HE HAS THE POWER TO PART YOUR RED SEA! Your rock and a hard place experience is nothing more than God's perfect spot for a great miracle. Praise Him for the difficult circumstances you find yourself in today. And trust Him, no matter how dark, how bleak, how black, or how hopeless. There is nothing too difficult for God.
THE REST OF OUR STORY
Do you know what my wife did? She prayed about my call into the ministry. She sought the Lord and shared her heart and reluctance and frustration with Him. And God spoke to her about it and changed her heart. She was not gung-ho, but she was willing. And she willingly joined me in stepping out of the boat to walk on the water with Jesus.
Has it been easy? No. But it has been so worth it! Debbie and I praise God on a consistent basis that He placed a special call on our lives. We are so thankful we went forward in faith, and did not shrink back in unbelief and bitterness. We have seen God show up and show out in numerous Red Sea experiences. We know firsthand that He is able, no matter what!
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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