Leading Forward!

Human nature has changed little over the years. We have a tendency to put up with all kinds of intrusions and oppressions as long as it doesn't intrude too much on our personal lives and it takes a some effort to change. When Moses went to lead the Children of Israel out of captivity into the promised land, they saw the destruction of Egypt through the various plagues that included turning the Nile River to blood, locusts devouring the crops and the death of every first born. They saw the power of the God that was setting them free. Yet, when they started on the journey and they were backed up to the Red Sea and saw Pharaoh's army approaching, they apparently forgot everything they had just witnessed.

The ungrateful people turned to Moses and said, "It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" Like many of us, they only saw the problems and dangers. They forgot the amazing power that had won their release from the slave labor. They could tell the chariots were approaching in the distance and turned on their leader and the God who had led them to this point. In some ways they are a lot like many Americans today who like the freedom we have and understand what it took to give it to us… and when it comes under assault are ready to roll over and accept that it cannot continue.

As for the Israelites, although they had some weapons and organization, they could not see themselves surviving an encounter with Pharaoh's army, and rightly so if they were battling the enemy alone. Panic stricken, they longed to be back in the yoke of slavery, but the God of Jacob had other plans. Moses told them, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." He stretched out his staff over the Red Sea and a path was created for the people to walk across on dry land. They were delivered form the clutches of Pharaoh, when they had the need. It was not too early or too late.

Some modern "scholars" attempt to minimize this miracle by contending that the Red Sea, that was also called the Sea of Reeds, implying that this was no big deal and that they were merely walking across a swamp. This is not what the Biblical account says, yet, even if these academicians were correct, it would make the next event even more miraculous. Once the Children of Israel were across Pharaoh followed them across the sea and the water came together and he and his army and their horses all drowned. Imagine drowning an army in six inches of water… that too qualifies as a miracle.

Many years later, American colonists thought much the same as the Israelites when confronted with British intrusions. They didn't like them, but they were unwilling to take the steps necessary to rid the land of their overseas masters. The Israelites would have died by the Red Sea and the survivors taken back to slavery had Moses not followed God's command and led them to freedom. Many colonists would have unhappily accepted the status quo were it not for people like Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry who, instead accepting servitude in place of hardship led the people down the path of freedom by declaring that he would only accept liberty or death.

His famous words, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" echoed throughout the land and inspired many to take up arms against their British masters. Numerous later events revealed divine providence in the founding of our exceptional nation. It became a beacon of freedom throughout the world.

At this point in time when not just our liberty, but the concept of God given rights are under attack as they have never been before, are we going to whine like the Children of Israel, keeping our head down and refusing to complain against our masters like many colonists… or will we be the Patrick Henry's or Thomas Paine's of our time, leading people out of the darkness of the socialistic world the triumvirate of Pelosi, Reid and Obama have planned for us? We need to seriously consider and pray about our rolls in this great endeavor to keep the light of our Judeo-Christian nation burning for the world to see. Most people will not take the initiative to stand against the unceasing progressive aggression. They need our help to do what they know is right.

Whether we need to stand up in a physical confrontation, take part in civil disobedience or if God handles it all in his own way, we need to be prepared to do whatever before us is necessary. But it will not be in our own strength. If we attempt that, we will surely fail. We need to remember, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12) Yes, Barack Hussein Obama is the current manifestation of our opposition, but he, alone, is not the source of our oppression… it is so much bigger than this puny teleprompter reader… but then, so is the source of our strength and power.