Exodus 2:23-25
It took the Israelites 400 years to realise they were in bondage and needed God to rescue them. God didn’t plan for them to stay that long, but because of their ignorance and refusal to acknowledge God as their saviour, they ended up spending 40 decades of their lives suffering, even though they were multiplying in bondage.
Until after 40 decades, they realised they could be better versions of themselves and needed help and they remembered the God of their fathers. God is a good Father and a good Shepherd, He leads and doesn’t drag his sheep. He will allow you to live on whatever level you settle for.
God never had the intention of them staying so long in slavery, but by their choice, they stayed so long, and God had to respect that. God respects whatever decision we make. Whether we involve Him or not, He won’t force Himself on us, and that’s why He said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” He won’t force His way in, even though He can.
Many of us go through situations that are beyond our control, but at the same time avoidable, but because we choose not to involve God, we go deeper and deeper into it, until it becomes impossible for us to come out.
The Israelites called out to God for help, and He heard their cry and had respect for them, and sent them help through Moses. Many of us settle for less than we are called to be, and this kills our God-given talent, just because we decided to settle for a mediocre version of ourselves. Though it seems you are doing alright, just like the Israelites thought they were alright in Egypt, got married, have kids, lots of animals, and many other things, what God had in mind for them was far greater than that.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
“9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
How far you grow and how far you go in life doesn’t entirely depend on how much of God you know but on how much you believe in Him and in yourself. You need to get out of that low self-esteem, inadequacy, and insecurity mindset, get up and get out, and go out and achieve greater things for God.
When you are ready to get up, get out and go out, help is already waiting. God was actually waiting on the Israelites to call on Him. He didn’t like seeing them suffer, just like He wouldn’t want you to suffer, but they were so engrossed in slavery that it had become their second nature.
You don’t have to stay so long in a situation before you realise you need to call on your Maker, He’s waiting on you to call on Him. SO GET UP AND GET OUT.
