It may be more than a notion of curiosity when it comes to my recollection of the Scriptures. Some may be warranted, while others may only be a matter of impotent concern. For example, when the Red Sea waters opened by the breath of God, Israel was issued permission to walk across on “dry ground”. Moses was informed, “But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it” (Exodus 14:16a). My mind asks, “Did any of God’s people ever try to reach out and touch the ‘standing water”? Impulsively, I may have been mischievous enough to try. Holding an emerging desire to touch the handiwork of God would be one concocted in fear, reverence, and awe, but never a lack of faith.
God had reminded Moses that He would fight their battles and the Hebrews would be victorious over Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and soldiers (Exodus 14:18). God had stated, “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:4). Pharoah’s army was dispatched, and the Israelites were delivered! However, not all of God’s people consistently accepted His continuous decree to love Him and live by faith. Israel, and the rest of the world, needed to understand that God is THE God of all (Hosea 13:4). That is why faith is based in evidence, not conjecture, “blindness”, nor illogical reasoning. Faith IS trusting in what God has DONE and what He says He WILL DO!
The Hebrew writer states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” (Hebrews 11:1-2). The evidence given unto Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and others was definitive proof of God and His amazing ability to sustain! So how does a lack of faith occur? Let’s retrace the Scriptures. Moses records, “And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” (Exodus 12:36). The Great I AM had informed His people that not only would they be delivered but they would also not go “empty-handed” (Exodus 3:21)! God performed the when, the where, the how, and most importantly, the WHY! God affords us a similar comfort when we “look back” and are confirmed in faith (Romans 15:4). When we lack faith, time appears to be against us. (BTW, I would have still tried to touch the water). Therefore, we must strive to turn back to God and remember what He did for Israel and understand that He has accomplished even more for us today through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:11). Let us reflect on these things, and may God Bless,
Archie R. Green
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