What's on you?

Exodus 14:22

Have you ever been standing next to someone and you can tell they have been by a fire?

Roasting marshmallows is fun but if you just got your hair done, brace yourself, you will have to do it again.  The smell of the burning wood lingers close and ultimately those around you can identity that you were by the pit.

You clothes smell, and even the ashes that have landed now reside in your hair.

You were close to the fire but it did not consume you.  Actually you enjoyed the soft, warm chocolate covered graham treat.

Life leaves residue that others can see.

What’s on you?

Life is a road of ups and downs.  

Often the very place that was a blessing can become hardship.

We can learn from the Israelites as the story of deliverance unfolds.

The LORD is making a way for them from bondage and oppression.

Troubles cause us to either retreat and sulk or to persevere and move ahead.

The truth is that in this world we will have trouble! (John 16:33)

I recently got a visual of God’s people crossing the Red sea. 

Remember they had been suffering for a long time in a place that once was a blessing.

It’s time to move!

As Moses steps into the topography of Egypt, there is only one message, “let my people go”. 

(Exodus 5:1)

The Lord does hear us! It may seem like he is taking long like fireworks on the 4^th of July. 

But, El Shaddai, God Almighty who supplies and satisfies is my Deliverer!  He is the All-Sufficient One.  

He makes a way when my way of escape has been exhausted.

So, the fascinating picture for me is imagining the multitudes crossing over as the waters part.  

The Lord leads them through a route less common because his ways are higher than ours. 
(Isaiah 55:9) 

^“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. (Genesis 13:17-18)

So here we go!  

The Lord looks down and inflicts confusion on the enemy. (Genesis 14:24) He causes there transportation to fail; he jammed the wheels on their chariots! (v25)

The enemy finally acknowledges that the Lord is fighting for his people!  

He is a Jealous God; a consuming fire!

The depiction that fascinates me is this. 

A body of water splinting in two.  Scared people walking on dry land.

Walls of water erected on both sides.

Was there any mist? Aha!  

When I’m in trouble in need of the Lord’s rescue, he comes with Might, Strength and very clever ways of getting me out.

What I’m imagining is mist on God’s people as they walked to the other side. 

They can see it on each other.  This moisture clinging to their clothing.  A reminder of what is happening; danger inflicted on their enemy as they cross over to the other side.

Mist, tiny droplets of water suspended in the atmosphere, possibly visible but not quite heavy enough to moisten land.  After all they “walked on dry ground”. (Exodus 14:22)

Danger so close, but it did not impact them. 

Arriving on the other side was evidence that they were surrounded by water, 
his judgment made clear.  Let my people go! Those in bondage set free; they did not drown!

Their enemies would feel the wrath of God but God’s people would walk right through it. 

See, it's like the campfire.  Everyone knows we were by the pit. We may smell like fire but we were not consumed.

I see them walking through the impossible with 
dewdrops as evidence that God was there Deliverer.

They escaped by his Mighty Hand and Outstreched arm.

So why fear trouble! Our God is our Deliverer; our way out and place of escape.

Step out of a camp fire and we smell life fire.

Cross the Red Sea and the nations tremble as you arrive covered in mist droplets all over you.

Bow before the Lord and receive new life and his fragrance becomes your scent; 
people will see the transformation! 

We are the fragrance of Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:15)

Is there evidence that God has taken you via a road less traveled?  Take a good look.

Is there proof that he is making a way out for you? You might be traveling through it right now.

Be still and know that he is God!

Acknowledge Him and testify!  He is taking you to the other side!

God bless you!~Liz