Face trials with faith

Have you ever heard the statement, “If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it?”

Proverbs 16:9 reads, “Man plans his ways, but God directs his steps.” In Jeremiah 29:11, Scripture reads, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.”

No matter what obstacle faces us in this life, we have a place where we can seek refuge. “God is our refuge and our strength and a very present help in times of trouble.” We can run to the Lord for safety and rest in his arms during difficult times.

Sometimes life can be a tremendous battle. A day can bring the unexpected and can turn our world upside down, causing fear, turmoil and distress.

Through it all, we must realize that the Lord is with us, never leaving or forsaking his children. He is able to provide a way of escape through all difficulties and trials of life.

We will examine in Scripture an example of ordered steps.

Although the situation looked impossible, God had it under his control.

Looking at the uncertainties of life, we must recognize that our faith cannot rest in any other source. Our faith and assurance of hope must rest in the Lord. He will make a way where there seems to be no way for those who will trust in him. He is our source of security in times such as these.

Moses and the children of Israel departed from Egypt in freedom, only to be met with an insurmountable obstacle known as the Red Sea.

Questions surely entered their minds as they wondered why. Why did God lead them out of where they were to allow them to face destruction?

After deliverance from years of slavery, and receiving the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey, they left a foreign land in joy and with expectation of a new and better life ahead.

Once again, hope was renewed.

Now they found themselves hemmed in between two insurmountable obstacles, man and nature.

Fear and terror must have gripped their hearts as they wondered how they could possibly survive.

There were fathers and mothers clinging to their children, anxiously looking about and crying out for help.

One can only imagine their anticipation of doom as they heard the horse hoofs, and the chariots racing through the wilderness heading toward them.

Pharaoh and his army would surely kill them, or all would perish in the tremendous waters of the Red Sea.

As they cried out, the Lord answered.

His presence had always been with them, now it was clouded by the circumstances.

He would make himself known in such a powerful way.

Even to this day, it is recorded and remembered.

There was no way out except to cross the Red Sea. Their steps were ordered by God, not for destruction but for re-construction.

For hundreds of years their faith was tested; doubt, unbelief and discouragement entered into the hearts of the people.

God was preparing to give them a new perspective on the power of the God they served.

He led them out and now he would take them through.

In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”

We too face insurmountable obstacles. We may be facing a “Red Sea” and wondering how we will make it through.

Obstacles of finances, health, children, marriage, jobs; all of these may appear insurmountable to us but not to the Lord.

Israel’s Red Sea was there to prove the power and majesty of the God who brought them out of where they were and was more than able to take them in to where they were going.

He will do the same for us.

Insurmountable obstacles are used by God for our good. They are not intended to cause us to shrink back in fear. Rather, they are intended to launch us forward in faith.

Faith that says, “even if God has to part waters on my behalf, he will do it and bring me through!”

Exodus 14:22 reads, “Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land and the waters were like a wall to them on the right hand and on the left.”

The Lord caused the very obstacle meant for destruction to provide a path for preservation.

Hold on to the promises of the Lord and no turning back. God is able to take us up, over and through.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

His name is faithful and true.

Patty Scahill of Austintown, who is a conference speaker, author and hospice chaplain, attends Christian Life Church in Canfield.