All Authority on Earth

We never journey alone or without the help of the Lord. As we go, the Lord Jesus is moving with us and has prepared a way ahead of us.

“When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh’s army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon. As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!” Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.” ‭‭

Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭5‬, ‭9‬-‭10‬, ‭13‬-‭16‬, ‭18‬, ‭21‬-‭22‬, ‭31‬

The Lord rescuing the people out of Israel stands as one of the most significant events in the Old Testament. You can see the range of emotions the people felt as they were leaving and did not see a safe getaway. What counsel does Moses have for the people? Trust God. Where you do not see a way, God will make a way. The people were focusing on just making it through the day, God was doing what would make His name great. What would happen if we focused on making His name great more than the troubles we face?

What does this story mean for your life? Do you ever feel like your losses are closer than your victories? Do you feel like all you see are enemies and barriers? With just a word the Lord parts the seas and does what no person thought possible. Where is God calling you forward that you need to trust that you will walk on dry ground? Where are you calling on Him to fight on your behalf?

“But God himself will shoot them with his arrows, suddenly striking them down. Then everyone will be afraid; they will proclaim the mighty acts of God and realize all the amazing things he does. The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him.” ‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭64‬:‭7‬, ‭9‬-‭10‬

When you look back at your life you can see the amazing things God has done to carry you through the hard times. You can see the amazing things He has done to raise you up and pursue relationship with you. What God desires is to teach us how to see what He is doing before it is done. He wants us to learn to praise before the provision is given and walk in faith.

“The life of the godly is full of light and joy...Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” ‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬, ‭9‬, ‭12‬

How full is your gas tank of hope? Do you have bold dreams and excitement about what is to come? We are called to be people of hope because God is the One who makes dreams come true. We are to hope in Him and see how he makes our hopes come true. The Greek word for hope is better understood as expectation. How would it change your confidence in what is to come and your mindset if you walked with expectation that God would move on your behalf?

“Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence! For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways...O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.” ‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭64‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬-‭5‬, ‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

Most of the mistakes I have made have been when I was in a hurry to do things my way. Ever find yourself in a position where you tried things your way and it hasn't worked out? Isaiah says to wait on the Lord. Waiting requires trust and trust will result in blessing. God sees you, knows you, and will care for you. He is continually forming is through our experiences so that we can become more like Him. Are you open or reluctant to be formed by the potter? Do you give thanks or begrudge the changes He is calling you to make?

“One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” “Let me ask you a question first,” he replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.” So they finally replied that they didn’t know. And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

‭Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭

The Pharisees were basically asking Jesus, "Who are you? Who are you to talk like you talk and do what you do? By what authority?" We do well to ask the same questions. Who is Jesus to you? Is He a teacher? A prophet? Or is He Lord and Savior? How you answer that question will dictate whether you follow and walk in faith or fear what's to come. Either you trust in Him and believe all authority on Heaven and Earth have been given to Him or you don't.

Jesus says the same thing to us that God said to the Israelites before He parted the sea. Keep moving forward. Walk by faith and you see God's power unveiled in miraculous ways. Jesus wants to build our faith so that we become faith builders for others. He wants to teach us to pray continually, believe boldly, and trust triumphantly because we know both the authority and everlasting love He has for us.