Just CrossPoint: I feel stuck! ”Lord get me out!”

This week Pastor Andre Erasmus shares his thoughts about the tragic events that have recently unfolded both at home and abroad: 

Terrible things have been happening during the past couple of weeks. Acts of terror and disaster have happened in different states but also around the world.  People are struggling with illnesses, financial hardships and relationships. These situations sometimes make people feel “stuck,” like the Israelites that were stuck in Egypt. Sometimes we’re in a position where we can only sigh and feel the tight bondage we are in. Some feel so entrapped that they can’t get out or see hope for their situation.          

Why is this? The Israelites felt trapped because they found themselves in a situation they did not want to be in. In Exodus 1:18 we see that the taskmasters were very hard, bitter and unbearable. The Egyptian king and his people made it so extremely difficult for them. But how does that experience relate to us? We tell our kids not to make the same mistakes we made; we have to draw from the old like they did from the Old Testament and learn from it. 

We have to remember that we are just passing through this world; this is not our home. This place-Egypt, in the Old Testament, had a king that did not like them. In the same way the evil of this world makes our lives bitter and difficult. We live in a place where terrible things happen-this world is wicked and evil. The Israelites were worked to the ground and used up. The king used their presence to enhance his own kingdom and for his purpose. We know we have a spiritual enemy that furthers his own agenda- for his own purpose. 

Israel sighed, because of the bondage they were in. They sighed, and took time to cry out to God. However, it got worse -heavy taxes and unfair treatment made them realize what was going on. Their social difficulty and everything else made them realize they needed God more than ever. It took time for them to see the spiritual connection. They failed to make the spiritual connection at first. Circumstances did not allow them to move freely. Over time they reached the conclusion and realized the spiritual connection. 

Nothing that we go through can compete with the presence of God! The manifest power of the presence of Jesus is what we need. You may say "but I have prayed." See, this was not just a quick prayer- it was a prayer reminding them about God’s promise to His people.  Through prayers in a time of desperation they reminded themselves about the covenant they made with Him. The Bible says "God remembered…" However, God cannot forget. But through their prayers He saw their willingness to come to Him and acknowledge His promises to them. He freed them on a condition- to follow Him. 

God's promises have certain terms of agreement. If you ask for God's blessing, the blessing needs to also flow to others. We are part of the new promise-if we are desperate for Him and realize that He is our only hope, we turn to Him. Part of that promise is also that we have to recognize our sin and repent from it. That is why Jesus died for us! God remembers because His people turned back to Him and knew they were dependent on Him. 

Sometimes we get stuck because we don't keep our side of the agreement. The Bible was originally written as a scroll; humans made chapters, verses and added punctuation to it, making it easier to read. In Exodus chapter 3, following chapter 1, Moses was watching sheep... What does that have to do with them being in stuck in Egypt? Sometimes we don't recognize the help God sends us. When we are stuck, like in an elevator, nobody will hear when you scream, curse, kick the door or stamp your feet.  The only thing that will work is to use the physical instrument e.g. the button/phone/microphone, to call for help. Use the instrument (prayer to God) to call for help and He will help you out! 

Please check back for more messages from Pastor Andre Erasmus as well as stories about the programs and people at CrossPoint Church.  For more information about the church please call 727-372—1057.