FINDING PURPOSE IN REPHIDIM
Everything in the life of the child of God, has purpose--not only that, but everything that happens (good or bad) will, by the design of God, be for our ultimate good. That's hard to believe--even harder to see, at times. I know that it is--from my own experience and also from watching the suffering of others. There are times in our lives, when we question, "what good could possibly come from such a dire situation?!!" That's one of the miracles of God's good will, toward us. He will use even the valley experiences of life, to carry us to the mountaintop.
"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." (Romans 8:28, TAB)
"As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day." (Genesis 50:20, TAB)
("Various motives might cause the sons of Jacob to continue in Egypt, notwithstanding the prophetic vision Abraham had of their bondage there. Judging of Joseph from the general temper of human nature, they thought he would now avenge himself on those who hated and injured him without cause. Not being able to resist, or to flee away, they attempted to soften him by humbling themselves. They pleaded with him as the servants of Jacob's God. Joseph was much affected at seeing this complete fulfilment of his dreams. He directs them not to fear him, but to fear God; to humble themselves before the Lord, and to seek the Divine forgiveness. He assures them of his own kindness to them. See what an excellent spirit Joseph was of, and learn of him to render good for evil. He comforted them, and, to banish all their fears, he spake kindly to them. Broken spirits must be bound up and encouraged. Those we love and forgive, we must not only do well for, but speak kindly to." [Commentary on Genesis 50:20,21])
Joseph knew the feeling of hopelessness, too. He was in the same boat (like we are, at times)--lost without a paddle. Constantly, swimming up stream, looking for relief from his trials, only to find a new trial before he could get out of the first one. Abandoned, nearly killed, then just as things seemed to look up--false accusation, followed by imprisonment. Imprisoned, he continued to live a just life--helping others, even in his prison, but then he was forgotten, by them, too. But God. God watched Joseph, He kept him--spared his life--for what, to suffer??? Isn't that how we feel sometimes; as if the purpose of our lives is to suffer? Suffering has a place--there is even suffering "according to the commandment of the Lord". Ask the children of Israel, as they arrived in Rephidim--where there was no water to drink (you need water to sustain life--so, don't be so judgmental of them; we probably would have murmured, too--we complain about much less!). Ask the Apostle Peter; he wrote, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world (in other words, it's normal--just par for the course). And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:8-10).
It is quite a paradox--the life of the child of God. From suffering, comes good, maturity, growth, ministry. It has purpose. The word, Rephidim means, "supports". Strange isn't it--that the wilderness place that has no life-sustaining water, is a place of support. Rephidim--for the children of Israel (and for us), had (has) to become the place where we cease from murmuring and complaining, and see the support that only God can provide. His support is better than the sweetest spring of water. It is in the midst of Rephidim, that we have to stop asking, "Is the Lord among us or not?" We have to know that no matter how things appear, He has never forgotten His children, and He is our Support, our Provision--our Wellspring (Our Living Water). He is the Supplier of every good and perfect gift--even in Rephidim. (Exodus 17:1-8).
When we are suffering hard trials, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is necessary, that we see spiritually--now, more than ever; to experience the light that is (already) there. We know, with the mind, that God has not forgotten about us--we have heard and rehearsed those Scriptures, throughout life; it is another thing when the storm comes. Can we still see His Hand, when chaos comes to live with us--in our home, in our churches, on our jobs, in our relationships, in our losses? Do we see Him, still, or is it just rhetoric??? When no other person is around, encouraging--do you know that He is still with you, working it all out for your benefit, and even the benefit of others. Can you envision the light that pierces the darkest of nights???
Even when we can't see His presence--or feel Him, He is still in the midst of our situation--shaping it, giving it purpose. satan does some dastardly things to the people of God, but God uses even those things to make us better. Joseph found out why he almost lost his life and was abandoned time after time. There was a purpose. God's plan is not like ours--it has some unexpected twists and turns--because we live in a sinful, chaotic world (and He see's what we cannot). Like Job, we are subject to "being considered by satan". When he has opportunity, to touch our lives, he goes as far as he can--but he has limits, that God imposes. If we are going to call ourselves chosen sons of God, we must accept that satan will at one point or another "consider" us. God will allow it, to show satan that we belong to Him, and we must wait for our change to come. It is not possible for us to live in this world and not be touched by pain and suffering--sin brings those things. Whether we have sinned or not (or are the cause of our pain), suffering will come; it is a natural part of this life.
Will we find purpose in our suffering? That depends on the way that we live in our valley experience. If we give up and curse God, we allow satan to win. If we continue to serve God and not give place to the devil--we win. Don't be disheartened though, even if you have given up, for a season--you have another chance, for a testimony. We serve a God of second chances--even third fourth and fifth... chances. He doesn't give up on us. He has invested too much in us--He has invested all of Himself, in us. So, He works on our behalf, shaping the misery and pain into something glorious. Envision it. Whatever horror has befallen you--see God, holding and supporting you, all the while shaping and molding that devilish work into purposeful testimony!
There has to come a time in our lives when we recognize that, our sorrows, are temporary; and we begin to look for the move of God, in every obstacle, every problem and every trial. As we mature and grow in Christ, we have to begin to see that things work differently in the spirit realm. What we see with our physical eyes, is not our reality. Our reality is in the Heavenlies, being formed by God to change the course of our lives, to change our outlook on life, and to bring purpose into view.
Why would God allow us to awaken in Rephidim--according to his commandment? He allows it, because suffering changes our character--for good or not. It will build character in us, or it will destroy us--we decide. But, suffering, proves who we really are. It proves whether we are indeed on the Lord's side, or if we have just been hanging around for the fishes and the loaves. On the Lord's side, we will declare "for God I will live, and for God I will die". We will accept the plan even though we don't know the outcome; "we will not bow", and if we perish, we perish, but we are going to see the King. We don't give up, when times get hard. We put on the whole armor and stand. We wait for purpose. What is the purpose? "A setting forth" like the showbread of the Temple. We are "exposed". God is showing us off!
Our purpose, is to be seen and read of men. Go through, and let everyone see your PURPOSE.
WE CAN WIN!!!
"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." (Romans 8:28, TAB)
"As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day." (Genesis 50:20, TAB)
("Various motives might cause the sons of Jacob to continue in Egypt, notwithstanding the prophetic vision Abraham had of their bondage there. Judging of Joseph from the general temper of human nature, they thought he would now avenge himself on those who hated and injured him without cause. Not being able to resist, or to flee away, they attempted to soften him by humbling themselves. They pleaded with him as the servants of Jacob's God. Joseph was much affected at seeing this complete fulfilment of his dreams. He directs them not to fear him, but to fear God; to humble themselves before the Lord, and to seek the Divine forgiveness. He assures them of his own kindness to them. See what an excellent spirit Joseph was of, and learn of him to render good for evil. He comforted them, and, to banish all their fears, he spake kindly to them. Broken spirits must be bound up and encouraged. Those we love and forgive, we must not only do well for, but speak kindly to." [Commentary on Genesis 50:20,21])
Joseph knew the feeling of hopelessness, too. He was in the same boat (like we are, at times)--lost without a paddle. Constantly, swimming up stream, looking for relief from his trials, only to find a new trial before he could get out of the first one. Abandoned, nearly killed, then just as things seemed to look up--false accusation, followed by imprisonment. Imprisoned, he continued to live a just life--helping others, even in his prison, but then he was forgotten, by them, too. But God. God watched Joseph, He kept him--spared his life--for what, to suffer??? Isn't that how we feel sometimes; as if the purpose of our lives is to suffer? Suffering has a place--there is even suffering "according to the commandment of the Lord". Ask the children of Israel, as they arrived in Rephidim--where there was no water to drink (you need water to sustain life--so, don't be so judgmental of them; we probably would have murmured, too--we complain about much less!). Ask the Apostle Peter; he wrote, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world (in other words, it's normal--just par for the course). And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:8-10).
It is quite a paradox--the life of the child of God. From suffering, comes good, maturity, growth, ministry. It has purpose. The word, Rephidim means, "supports". Strange isn't it--that the wilderness place that has no life-sustaining water, is a place of support. Rephidim--for the children of Israel (and for us), had (has) to become the place where we cease from murmuring and complaining, and see the support that only God can provide. His support is better than the sweetest spring of water. It is in the midst of Rephidim, that we have to stop asking, "Is the Lord among us or not?" We have to know that no matter how things appear, He has never forgotten His children, and He is our Support, our Provision--our Wellspring (Our Living Water). He is the Supplier of every good and perfect gift--even in Rephidim. (Exodus 17:1-8).
When we are suffering hard trials, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is necessary, that we see spiritually--now, more than ever; to experience the light that is (already) there. We know, with the mind, that God has not forgotten about us--we have heard and rehearsed those Scriptures, throughout life; it is another thing when the storm comes. Can we still see His Hand, when chaos comes to live with us--in our home, in our churches, on our jobs, in our relationships, in our losses? Do we see Him, still, or is it just rhetoric??? When no other person is around, encouraging--do you know that He is still with you, working it all out for your benefit, and even the benefit of others. Can you envision the light that pierces the darkest of nights???
Even when we can't see His presence--or feel Him, He is still in the midst of our situation--shaping it, giving it purpose. satan does some dastardly things to the people of God, but God uses even those things to make us better. Joseph found out why he almost lost his life and was abandoned time after time. There was a purpose. God's plan is not like ours--it has some unexpected twists and turns--because we live in a sinful, chaotic world (and He see's what we cannot). Like Job, we are subject to "being considered by satan". When he has opportunity, to touch our lives, he goes as far as he can--but he has limits, that God imposes. If we are going to call ourselves chosen sons of God, we must accept that satan will at one point or another "consider" us. God will allow it, to show satan that we belong to Him, and we must wait for our change to come. It is not possible for us to live in this world and not be touched by pain and suffering--sin brings those things. Whether we have sinned or not (or are the cause of our pain), suffering will come; it is a natural part of this life.
Will we find purpose in our suffering? That depends on the way that we live in our valley experience. If we give up and curse God, we allow satan to win. If we continue to serve God and not give place to the devil--we win. Don't be disheartened though, even if you have given up, for a season--you have another chance, for a testimony. We serve a God of second chances--even third fourth and fifth... chances. He doesn't give up on us. He has invested too much in us--He has invested all of Himself, in us. So, He works on our behalf, shaping the misery and pain into something glorious. Envision it. Whatever horror has befallen you--see God, holding and supporting you, all the while shaping and molding that devilish work into purposeful testimony!
There has to come a time in our lives when we recognize that, our sorrows, are temporary; and we begin to look for the move of God, in every obstacle, every problem and every trial. As we mature and grow in Christ, we have to begin to see that things work differently in the spirit realm. What we see with our physical eyes, is not our reality. Our reality is in the Heavenlies, being formed by God to change the course of our lives, to change our outlook on life, and to bring purpose into view.
Why would God allow us to awaken in Rephidim--according to his commandment? He allows it, because suffering changes our character--for good or not. It will build character in us, or it will destroy us--we decide. But, suffering, proves who we really are. It proves whether we are indeed on the Lord's side, or if we have just been hanging around for the fishes and the loaves. On the Lord's side, we will declare "for God I will live, and for God I will die". We will accept the plan even though we don't know the outcome; "we will not bow", and if we perish, we perish, but we are going to see the King. We don't give up, when times get hard. We put on the whole armor and stand. We wait for purpose. What is the purpose? "A setting forth" like the showbread of the Temple. We are "exposed". God is showing us off!
Our purpose, is to be seen and read of men. Go through, and let everyone see your PURPOSE.
WE CAN WIN!!!
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