“and the children of Israel went out with defiance.” Ex 14:8

Not that their defiance lasted very long. In a matter of hours when Pharaoh’s army came after them they were greatly afraid, cried out to God and blamed Moses. Their tough defiant talk — when challenged — turned to fear and tears. Israel had a lot to learn, but this was just the beginning.

It seems their defiance and determination lasted only as long as things were going their way. Their oppressors were freeing them and loading them down with silver and gold and precious stones. They probably felt a sense of entitlement that the Egyptians owed them this and in one sense they did. But when Pharaoh’s army approached, they lost their nerve. They doubted their decision. They regretted their choice. They looked for someone to blame.

How many times have you taken a stand, made a decision to get out of debt, start a new business, save up some money, lose weight etc., only to retreat from that position when challenged? If you are going to attempt something worthwhile, expect to be challenged. That comes with the territory. Quit doubting. Don’t look for someone or something (like a tough economy) to blame.

You have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwelling in you! You can do this! There is a new breed of Christian arising and you can be numbered among them. They are intent on taking their Promised Land. They are ready to face down the giants and step into their destiny. Care to join them?

“And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were greatly afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? why have you dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell you in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” Ex 14:10-12

They had spent their entire life living under an oppressive regime, one that had ordered their midwives to kill all newborn males. For the next forty years, they complained and yearned for the good old days back in Egypt when they ate fish and leeks and other vegetables. They seemed to forget the fact that they were also slaves and were brutally treated.

It seems so strange to us that this oppressed people would prefer to go back to Egypt instead of seizing their new opportunities in the Promised Land. As a result of their unbelief, everyone over the age of twenty perished in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb. Only the young could go in to the new thing.

When I visited some former Soviet bloc countries a few years back, I marveled at the fact that just like the Israelites of old, so many of the older folks yearned for the good old days when communism was in force and everyone had a job working for the government (slavery) but they had enough food to live on. Now that they were transitioning to a free market economy they had to become productive to enjoy the benefits of freedom and they were unwilling to do so. Not true with the young people - while the older ones who yearn for communism wither and die in the land, the young people are rising up and entering their promised land.

Nowhere is this is more evident to me than in Ukraine with Pastor Sunday’s church. Young people are rising up to seize the new and are quickly prospering. 200 new millionaires in the last 18 months in that church alone! I met some of them and they have a heart for their nation and for impacting the world! Money is only a tool to that end. It is not the only tool, but it is a very helpful tool. If you haven’t heard Friday’s podcast on this topic, I urge you to check it out now and consider subscribing to it too. We will be sharing details on that program to help you do similar things.

Have a great week!