When God Says Enough

1 Peter 5:8-11

Message No. 0742 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

When God set sail to deliver Israel from Egypt, it was because He had ‘had it to the neck.’ He was fed up. Israel had suffered for 430 years and had cried under the iron hands of the Pharaohs of Egypt. First, Israel would not be in Egypt, had God not done Egypt a favor by letting Joseph be sold to them. Joseph it was who interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams of 7 years of abundance and 7 years of famine. He, it was who proffered solution to Egypt to the end that, not only did they not suffer from the famine, but they also became rich by selling grains to other nations. And how did Egypt pay back for the favor? They enslaved Israel and made them build structures that perpetuated their wealth.

When God was fed up with Israel’s suffering, He initiated their deliverance by seeking out Moses from exile and empowering him to go back to Egypt to face Pharaoh, and with a simple message: “Let my people go.” From the moment God got fed up, it did not matter what resistance Pharaoh put up, God already drew a line. It was done. Plague after plague, God continued to show Pharaoh that the party was over, until it was. Israel was set free by one of the most extraordinary interventions in Bible history.

In the era of the kings, when Israel forgot their God and went into idolatry, God warned them, time after time, king after king, but Israel would do good today, and tomorrow they were back to serving other Gods. It did not matter how much God tried, they just didn’t get it. In the end, God was fed up, and He allowed the king of Babylon to take them captive. This captivity lasted 70 years, but as a Parent, God would not allow a heathen nation to keep them in punishment for ever. He got fed up again and delivered them from captivity. It was only a matter of time. In 1 Peter 5:10, the Bible says:

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Unfortunately, our sufferings often arise from our disobedience and unbelief. We move closer to God when things are not going well, but the moment we have some breathing space and we become comfortable, we forget God. We begin to do things we ordinarily wouldn’t do. We begin to compromise, and to let down our guards. We begin to water down our strong Christian beliefs and begin to justify practices that we once condemned. God always speaks to us and tells us to repent and remember our first love, but we turn deaf ears to the warnings. This is the time we get into trouble and begin to suffer the consequences of our choices. However, God is a God of mercy and forgiveness. When you have suffered a while, He will always come to your rescue if you repent.

If you are currently suffering, I declare with you that your ‘enough’ moment is coming. You cannot suffer forever. Just as parents are pained when they see their children suffering, God is pained when He sees you suffering. Unlike earthly parents whose children may be suffering for their inability to cater for them, God is never not able to meet the needs of His children. Our God is unlimited. There is no length to which He will not go to make us comfortable. God is already fed up with your travails, and as He sought out Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, He is already making a way for your deliverance. Ask Him for mercy and confess and repent where necessary. Your deliverance is at the door.

PLEASE ACT NOW:

If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:

Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!

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