Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White
| God Delivers His People from the Enemy |
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Today's Text:
And the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:21, 22
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The Message:
"Go forward" was the word given by Moses, and it was echoed by the captains of the different divisions. In obedience the host of Israel stepped into the path so strangely and so wonderfully prepared for them. The light from God's pillar of fire shone upon the foam-capped billows and lighted the road that was cut like a mighty furrow through the waters of the sea. As the cloud moved slowly on, the Egyptian sentinels discovered that the Israelites had moved their encampment, and at once the mighty army was set in readiness for motion. They heard the sound of the marching of the Hebrews, but they could see nothing, for the cloud that gave light to Israel was to the Egyptians a wall of darkness. Guided by the sound, they followed on into the miraculous path God had prepared for His people. All night they followed, but they moved slowly, for their chariots drove heavily. Yet still they moved on, expecting soon to break through the cloud and overtake the fugitives. At last the shadows of the night passed away, the morning dawned, and the pursuing army was almost within reach of the fleeing Hebrews.... Before their astonished eyes the mysterious cloud changed to a pillar of fire reaching from earth to heaven. The thunders pealed and the lightnings flashed. "The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook." The Egyptians were seized with confusion and dismay. Amid the wrath of the elements, in which they heard the voice of an angry God, they endeavored to retrace their steps and to flee to the shore they had quitted. But Moses stretched out his rod, and the piled-up waters, hissing, roaring, and eager for their prey, rushed together and swallowed the Egyptian army in their black depths. As morning broke, it revealed to the multitudes of Israel all that remained of their mighty foe-the mail-clad bodies cast upon the shore. From the most terrible peril one night had brought deliverance.... Jehovah alone had brought them deliverance, and to Him their hearts were turned in gratitude and faith. Their emotions found utterance in songs of praise.-Manuscript 6a, 1903. |
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Commentary:
My friend, the day is coming when we will be surrounded by the enemies of God. The world will be united in their hatred for the people of God, but "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1). In the time of trouble to come those who will be delivered from the hands of the enemy of souls will be those who have placed their faith and trust in the One true God of the Bible. Jesus said in Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
To endue simply means to hold fast to our faith no matter what trials and tribulations come to us. Whether we live until Jesus comes again or if we are accounted worthy to lay down our lives for God that others may be saved. To endure unto the end is to never forsake our faith in God.
In the last days there will be many that will take their stand on the side of righteousness. Some in the church will awaken from the spiritual stupor of the laodecian condition, and receive the righteousness of Christ. They will unite with the 144,000 to bring the three angels message to the world, and many in the world will accept the message and take their stand for the One true God of the Bible.
But while these that awaken from their laodecian stupor, and those who accept the message from the world are saved, they are not prepared to go through the trials of the seven last plagues, when the people of God will be tried to the uttermost. For these God will allow them to lay down their lives before the close of probation and He will save them through death. Thus through their example and their testimony, many more will accept the message and be saved.
The time of trouble such as never was is reserved only for the 144,000 for they have made their garments white in the blood of the Lamb. They have overcome every sinful tendencies and have received the seal of the Living God. Christ is fully manifested in their lives and they are prepared to vindicate the character of God.
The only way that we can be prepared for the trials of the last days is to fully surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. This process of sanctification is not something that happens in a moment, or in an hour, but is the work of the entire life. Not all that go into the trials of the last days will have had the opportunity to overcome the flaws that sin has wrought in their characters, but even in this God will save them. Not from death, but through death.
My friend, whether we are allowed to live unto the second coming of Christ, or if we are called to lay our lives down before that time, we must simply hold fast to our faith and leave the results to God.
May you hold fast to your faith in God, come what may.
God bless,
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