Surrender

The Exodus is possibly one of the greatest book is the Bible. Filled with all the excitement of a Rated “R” movie minus the nudie scenes and colorful language. I began reading this great book just for fun, not really studying, just enjoying the story. Perhaps it was my natural perceptive nature or maybe it was God smacking me in my arrogant face with a principle that I have been struggling with for some time. Whatever the reason, I was irritated with God.

Joseph (the one with the rainbow coat that his dad got him from Macy’s) is dead. The new pharaoh of Egypt could care less about these Israelite people. In fact he’s a little intimidated about how many of them there are. He decides that the best course of action is to make them slaves. They are slaves for a good long while, time enough for Moses to be born, grow up, kill a guy, run away, get married, get called by God, argue with God about his calling, and finally realize that he doesn’t have a say in the matter and do what he’s told. I have heard that all of this takes place in approximately 110 years give or take.

Exodus 2:23-24 (NLT)
“Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.”

Had I been an Israelite, I might have asked the question, “God, why did it take you 110 years to hear our prayers and send us a deliverer?” I mean seriously, I was raised with the understanding that God heard my prayers instantly and that He had compassion on his people. Now God is God and I suppose he reserves the right to answer a prayer however He wants, but still. If the plan is to rescue Israel anyway, why not do it sooner than later? I suppose this is freedom One gets when One is the Creator of the universe.

I’m a pretty smart (and humble) guy, but I don’t presume to boast that I know how God thinks. Perhaps, though, God waited until the people were at the end of their rope, with no other option, no other way out but Him. Perhaps the people began complaining at first of the hard labor. Complaining moved onto bitterness. Bitterness moved to action and perhaps they protested the poor working conditions and formed the first Dept. of Labor staffed with the finest employees that tax dollars could buy. Protests were squelched violently and the Dept. of Labor was disbanded. Israelites began to realize that they were not in control anymore. They didn’t have a say anymore. Now why did God allow them to suffer for 110 years? Maybe it took longer for people to figure things out in those days. They did live to be pretty old after all. Perhaps it did take 110 years though.

110 years to give up

110 years to realize that they were powerless

110 years to realize that they needed something or someone bigger than themselves

110 years to wave their white flag

110 years to surrender

Surrender, after all, is what God is asking of each of us isn’t it? Time and time again, I find myself trying to control my own life. I think that the axis of the globe runs straight through my head leaving me to be the center of the world. Things would certainly run better if only everyone would ask about (and follow) my opinions. In reality, however, things topple over in my life when the focus becomes about me. I find myself tightening my grip ever so securely around my life yet find it becoming evermore so out of control. It is when I relinquish this death grip that God steps in and says, “Thanks for letting me in Daniel. I’ll take it from here. You’re gonna love this next part! I just wish you had made room for me sooner.” Then He smiles at me then blows my mind by turning my world upside down for the better. This is the God of compassion whom we serve and who values each of us so greatly.

Give up

Let go

Wave your white flag

Surrender