Abba Is Asking You To Camp
(8 minutes)
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle. (Exodus 13:17-18)
"Everything you're going through has purpose... can't stop saying that. Everything that you're encountering, you didn't get there by accident. God is in control. He sees what's happening. It's not a mistake. It is an invitation into learning more about you and Him." (Pastor Tim)
If we don't get this, it will be hard for us to receive from Abba in the midst of our day. Every moment is designed to pull us deeper into intimacy with Him. Every moment is meant to be an opportunity to metanoia, to have our thinking changed. We have a way we think things should go, but Abba's goodness is leading us with wisdom into the places that will deliver true freedom into our lives. Are we trusting Abba with every step?
Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses: "Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon. Then Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!' And once again I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told. (Exodus 14:1-4)
As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD, and they said to Moses, "Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn't we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, 'Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It's better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!" (Exodus 14:10-12)
"God is inviting you and me into camp. If it's me and you, and we just got out of slavery, we want to run from our problems. That's not how God deals with your problems. God asks you to turn and camp." (Pastor Tim)
It's one thing to trust Abba in complete safety. It's another thing to trust Him while you're encamped in enemy territory. But Yahweh is asking us to camp. Yahweh is asking us to stop running away from our problems and the things that have caused us pain. This goes against everything inside of us because we want nothing more than to put distance between us and things that we think will hurt us. But this is not the way that Yahweh operates.
"Why is this important? Because we think freedom is getting further away from the things that have trapped us. God's idea of freedom is killing what kept you captive. So the things that we struggle with, God orchestrates a camp. The things that you struggle with, God orchestrates a meeting with... I think we struggle with so much anxiety and fear because we won't camp and let God deal with issues in us because we're always running from hard issues." (Pastor Tim)
The goodness of God will not allow us to live our lives constantly looking over our shoulders to see if the enemy is gaining ground and catching up to us. This is why Abba has us camp and stand still. This is why Abba uses us as bait to draw the enemy even closer. Because He wants to deal with our enslaver once and for all. He wants us to witness our enemy being drowned in the Red Sea. But we only get to witness this if we trust Him enough to camp where He tells us to camp.
True freedom is not just putting distance between you and the problem. True freedom is allowing Yahweh to deal with the issue once and for all. This is what the grace of God is trying to accomplish in our lives right now. Grace is trying to shut the door, roll up its sleeves, and not allow our problem to see the light of another day.
But as long we're chaotic, complaining, and panicking, we won't be able to hear what Abba is trying to say to us. We must learn how to trust. We must learn how to rest in Abba's arms and hold our peace. There is a purpose in this! Abba's goodness is trying to set us free, for good. Are we trusting Abba enough to camp where He tells us to camp?
What issue are you running from that Abba is asking you to set up camp in?
Beloved One, Abba wants you free and fully alive.
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Worship: "Palm of Your Hand" by TRIBL
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!