God Has a Plan
God is not interested in just getting you "out of" something. He plans to also get you "into" something. God has a plan.
God delivered the Israelites from Egypt. They crossed the Red Sea. They have eaten bread from heaven and drank water from a rock. And yet they wonder, "Is the Lord among us or not (Exodus 18:7)?"
That's not just Israel. That's people. We have a "what have you done for me lately" mentality.
It should be no surprise that in the next scene an enemy attacks. What now? You've asked the same question as well as the follow-up. Where's God?
Sometimes the answer is not in your current problem, it's in the next one. And sometimes, the next battle is part of God's plan. You asked. He answers. Here I am, and here's the plan.
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
Exodus 17:8-9
God's plan brings us into conflict with a godless world.
You can be squarely in the will of God and directly in the line of fire. Amalek wasn't interested in Israel while they were slaves in Egypt. But now they are headed to the promised land they are a target.
Your enemy won't fight you if he has you where he wants you. He challenges you when you where he doesn't want you to be. It's easier to be sin's slave than it's enemy. God's plan is not for you to get along with the world, but to overcome it (1 John 5:4). "Go out and fight with Amalek." The battle is a part of the plan.
God's plan uses battles to bring glory.
The fight was real, but so was the miracle. We make a mistake in thinking that God's miracles are just for getting us out of things. God's miracles also work by getting you into things, sustaining you through things, and helping you conquer things. Our God is not a magician. He's a warrior.
While Joshua fought, something was happening above him that sustained him (17:10-11). What's happening to you is not nearly as important as what's happening above you. Our Savior lives to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25).
God's plan is the Word of God applied.
Joshua went to fight. Moses went to stand.
Joshua wielded a sword. Moses held up his staff.
Think about the role Moses' staff has played in Israel's story. God issues a command. Moses repeats it. He raises his staff or strikes a rock, and miracles happen.
Moses' staff is God's Word applied.
God's Word is His plan for every one of your battles.
God doesn't just want to get you out of battles. He plans to get you into them. While you are there, He reminds you of your purpose, His power, and His plan. Where is God? He's getting you into and out of your battles.
Bible Study
Read Exodus 17:8-16.
- What do you learn about intercession from this passage?
- What do you learn about spiritual conflict from this passage?
- List some principles you will apply from this passage.
Challenge
After meditating on this passage and devotional, write out a practical way to change your approach to prayer and Bible study if you are looking for God to get you "into" something not just "out of" something.
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