We Need Always to Lean Upon God

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

We Need Always to Lean Upon God

Today's Text: By faith he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27

The Message:      Moses was a child of God, chosen for a special work. Having been adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, he was greatly honored by those in the king's court. As the king's intended grandson, everyone was intensely desirous of exalting him. They looked upon him as the successor to the throne.      Moses was a man of intelligence, and God in His providence placed him where he could acquire knowledge and fitness for a great work. He was thoroughly educated as a general. When he went out to meet the enemy, he was successful; and on his return from the battle, his praises were sung by the whole army.      Notwithstanding this, Moses constantly kept in mind the fact that by his hand God would deliver the children of Israel. But although learned among the Egyptians, he received in the service of Pharaoh a certain mold that disqualified him for the wonderful work he was to do. This weakness was manifested when he visited his brethren and "spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew." Moses took the case in hand and privately "slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand."...      In order that Moses might be fitted for his appointed work, the God of heaven separated him from his former surroundings. He was to enter another school-the school of Providence. What a change here took place in the life and employment of Moses! ...      Looking at this experience from a human standpoint, observers would pronounce it a splendid failure on the part of Moses. Instead of allowing this learned general, who was regarded as fully prepared to do his appointed work, to go ahead and accomplish that which it had been foretold he should do, the Lord sent him into the mountains to obtain an education that would fit him to stand as the general of Israel....      God designed that Moses should stand out alone, leaning upon His strong arm, that he should learn to pray and to believe.... Everyone should have an individual experience. We should ever be learning the lessons that Providence designs us to learn.... If we place ourselves where we look to others to brace us and support us, if we depend on finite help, we do not really know our own strength because we do not stand alone, making God our helper. When thrust out where we have to stand alone, the taproot of our faith fastens upon the only sure support-the infinite God.-Manuscript 36, 1885.

Commentary: My friend, each of us needs to learn from the school of God how to lean and depend upon Him and Him alone.  In the course of our lives, unless we are dependent upon God, we tend to depend more and more upon our own selves, trusting in our own abilities to work, in our own intellect, and our own resources to see us through.  While all of these things are from God, and are to be used for His glory, unless we ultimately have our faith rooted in God, they will be a snare to us. In the last days we will be required to stand alone for God.  All of our earthly support will be taken from us, and it will be seen where our trust truly lies, whether it be in God or in the material things of this world.  In a time of relative peace and prosperity we cannot tell whether our trust is anchored to.  It is only in times of trial that our faith is revealed.  Notice that it is not developed but revealed.  When the things that we have learned to trust in are taken away, will we continue to trust in God? Faith in God through our Lord Jesus Christ is not something that is developed in a moment, but is the work of a lifetime.  God lead Moses into the wilderness to tend sheep for forty years that he may unlearn the ways of the world and learn to trust in God alone.  In the same way many of us need to be disconnected from the things that we have come to trust in that we may learn to trust in the One true God through His Son Jesus Christ.  As we go through the trials of today, leaning upon the everlasting arm of Jesus Christ, we will be brought into a closer and yet closer relationship with Him, and when the final test comes, when all earthly support is removed from us, we will be able to stand true for God and not falter. My friend, where is your faith today?  Are you learning to trust in God day by day, or are you trusting in your worldly resources to see you through.  To answer this question correctly you need only to look at how you react to the various trials that come into your life today.  If while you are going through these trials you have peace that God will see you thorough, then your faith is grounded upon the Rock of Jesus Christ, but if you loose faith and are afraid of what is to come, then your faith is centered upon your own ability and resources, and will not be able to sustain you in the last days. May you learn to lean upon the everlasting arm of Jesus Christ that you may say as David did in Psalms 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah." God bless,

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