* Un-surrendered

The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

Exodus 13:21-22 NLT

When the Israelites left Egypt in a triumphal exodus, it was because they followed the Lord - cloud by day, fire by night. God's plan was to protect them from the heat of the sun during the day (cloud) and protect them from the cold of the wilderness at night (fire) and to lead them into the promised land. 

The original plan was to go across the wilderness, not spend 40 years wandering in it before they got to their destination. However, they decided to take matters into their own hands. They wanted to do it on their own because they didn't like waiting... It's just as bad when we pray, but try to insist that God do it our way. Do you know the rest of the story? Nevertheless, it is important to know that God still took care of them. Air to breathe, shade and warmth, food every day, clothes didn't wear out. 

You may know this story - 

• A Christian is on top of a roof during a great flood. A man comes by in a boat and says "Get in, get in!" The Christian  replies, "No, I have faith in God, He will deliver me." Later the water is up to his waist and another boat comes by and the guy tells him to get in. He responds that he has faith in God and God will deliver him. With the water at about chest high, another boat comes to rescue him, but he turns down the offer again because "God will deliver me." 

With the water at chin high, a helicopter throws down a ladder and they tell him to get on. Mumbling with the water in his mouth, he again turns down the request for help for the faith of God. He drowns. He arrives at the gates of heaven with broken faith and says to Peter, "I thought God would deliver me and I have been let down."

St. Peter shakes his head and responds, "I don't know why you think that! We sent you three boats and a helicopter."

How many times do we miss God's plan and purpose because He didn't do it the way we thought it should be done? Remember, the world missed Christ's first appearance because He didn't come the way they thought He should.

I firmly believe God gives us strength and intelligence to accomplish all that we need to do. I don't know about you, but here's what I must remember to NOT do...

1. I must NOT forget that the strength and intelligence I do possess are not, were not, and will never be of my own doing, and are not given for me to do MY will. 

2. I must NOT only listen to God's leading AFTER I can't do it on my own.

3. I must NOT try to tell God how I want Him to do His role within my parameters. 

God is a loving God. He is omniscient. He WILL let me do it on my own if I insist. Uh... no thanks.  

Prayer:

Father,
           Like Job, I understand - Who am I to question Your wisdom in such ignorance?  I will live to declare Your mighty works. Works that only You can accomplish using those who will follow You in SUBMISSION to Your authority. Keep us ever mindful of this Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen