THE MAKING OF A WORSHIPPER

Exodus (14) describes an incredible moment in Israel's history. The Israelites had just left Egypt under God's supernatural direction. Now they were being hotly pursued by Pharaoh's army. They didn't know it yet, but these people were about to experience the darkest, stormiest night of their souls. They faced an agonizing night of panic and despair that would test them to their very limits.

I'm sure you're aware of this Chapter in Israel's history. Most Christians know what happened at the Red Sea, and how God miraculously delivered his chosen people, yet you may wonder what this incident has to do with the title of my message.."The Making of a Worshipper".

I believe this passage has everything to do with how God makes his people into worshippers. Indeed, no other Chapter in the Bible demonstrates this more strongly. You see, worshippers are not made during revivals, they're not made in the good, sunny times, in periods of victory and health; worshippers aren't made when they see the enemy on the run, and put to flight. The truth is, worshippers of God are made during dark, stormy nights. And how we respond to our storms determines just what kind of worshippers we are.

Hebrew 11:21 gives us this image of Jacob in his old age, "by faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the son's of Joseph, and worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff.

Why is Jacob portrayed this way in his dying days? Jacob himself had been through much personal pain, sorrow and agony in his years on earth. Now Jacob knew his life was about to end. That's why we see him giving his blessing to his grandchildren. So, what does Jacob do as he looks back on the event's of life? He is moved to worship, not a word is spoken by this man.

Yes, as he leans on his staff, marveling at the life God had given him, he worshipped (Ex. 11:20). Jacob worshipped God in that moment because his soul was at rest. He had proven God faithful beyond any shadow of a doubt, over the course of an entire lifetime. Jacob probably replayed in his mind all the victories God had provided him at every turn.

It never mattered what battle I went through, through every storm, God proved himself faithful to me. At times I thought I would collapse from panic and despair. But the Lord brought me through every situation, He has always been faithful. Oh, Lord Almighty God, I worship you.

I'm writing this message today for everyone who's facing the most difficult time of their lives. It is meant for those who would describe their present trial as a dark, stormly night. You're in the midst of a time of severe testing, in fact, your trial may be so impossible, it requires a miraculous intervention from God. I want to show you from scripture that the Lord wants you to come out of your storm a worshipper. He has made a way for you in your dark night. And He has a plan to bring you out as a shining example to the world of his faithfulness to his people. The Lord put Israel in their impossible situation for two reasons:

Scripture tells us the Lord, Himself orchestrated this dark, stormy night for his people. First, it was God who led them to the valley by the sea. The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel, ye shall encamp by the sea (Ex. 14:1-2). It was also God who hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them (Ex. 14:4). Second, God wanted his people to enter their forthcoming wilderness journey as worshippers, that's why it was important for them to emerge from the red sea now with worship in their heart. God wanted not murmurers and complainers, but true worshippers.

He had named Israel as his heritage, therefore, they were to be living examples of his faithfulness toward his people in their most trying times.

Here was the scene: Israael was now encamped by the sea -- after 400 years of bondage. God had led them out of the iron furnace of Egypt and now they reveled at their first taste of freedom. They were full of hope that freedom brings singing and crying, no more whipping, no more persecution, we're free at last. They were also excited by the promises God had given them. He had told them, there is a new day ahead for you. I have a promised land just ahead, waiting for you to enter in.

This represents the Christian who has been delivered by God from sin. The believer rejoices in his or her new found freedom, liberated from all past bondages. Suddenly, he's living in a wonderful time of salvation and deliverance. And he has a holy melody in his heart, because he's living on God's promises, that was the condition of Israel as they encamped by the sea.

This people realized God was fulfilling all his words to them. He had chosen them to be his inheritance, and now He was bringing them back to Himself. They were about to become worshippers, whose testimony and witness would serve as a bright shining light to the world.

Yet, at the hour of their greatest peace, at the very height of Israel's freedom, during their hour of greatest hope, an attack came. The Egyptians came roaring down on them like a lion, under Pharaoh's command, and this demonic army was clearly bet on taking them back into slavery.

The Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, Ex. 14:9. The report came suddenly and unexpectedly that the Egyptains were here, Pharaoh's army is thundering down on us. This sent shockwaves through the camp. Hundreds of horses and riders were approaching. The earth shook from the powerful rumbling of 900 iron chariots. What a terrible sight. The children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them, and they were sore afraid (Ex. 14:10).

I ask myself, how many Christians have faced this kind of terror, at the very height of their peace? My family and I surely have.

I think of the shocking call received by many others in the church, "the lump you felt is malignant, please come to the doctor's office right away". This was a kind of sudden shocking call Israel received. Scripture notes the people's reaction, "they lifted up their eyes, and (beheld) the Egyptians and they were sore afraid (Ex. 14:10). God's people focused their attention on the terrifying situation they were in and their thought was, it's hopeless, we're trapped, we're all going to die.

What they did next tells us everything about Israel's status as worshippers. The children of Israel cried out unto the Lord (Ex. 14:10). Don't be mistaken this was no cry of worship. The peoples' cry was, why have you allowed this God? After all those years of bondage? You set us free, but for what? To die at Pharaoh's hand? After all our pain and suffering, is this where we end up? You filled us with hope, you delivered us, you gave us great promises. Yet, when we obeyed your word, you let the enemy come down on us. Why have you dealt with us this way? It was better for us back in Egypt. If this is how it will end, then serving you isn't worth it. Have you ever felt this way? Is this what you sounded like in your terrifying hour? did bitterness rise up in you? Did you cry, as Israel did, what did I do to deserve this? I chose to love you, God, I've done my best to follow your word and serve you. Why would you treat me this way? All I can see is more pain ahead.

In the midst of their trial, God sent his people a three point message.

God told Israel to do three things int he midst of their trial, "fear not", "stand still", "see the salvation of the Lord". His call to Israel was I am going to fight for you you're simply to hold your peace. Just be quiet, and put eveything in my hands. Right now, I'm doing a work in the supernatural realm. Everything is under control, so don't panic, trust that I'm fighting the devil, this battle is not yours.

This was the beginning of Israel's dark and stormy night, but it was also the beginning of God's supernatural work. He sent an awesome, protective angel to stand between his people and their enemy. I believe God still sends protective angels to camp around all who love and fear him (Psa. 34:7). But that wasn't all, the Lord also moved the supernatural cloud he'd given to Israel for guidance. The cloud suddenly shifted from the front of Israel's camp to the rear.

Yet, on the other side, the cloud provided a supernatural light (Ex. 14:20), throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other, so neither went near the other all night long.

Dear saints, if you're a blood wash child of God, he has put a warrior angel between you and the devil and he commands you, just as he told Israel, do not fear, stand still, believe in my salvation. Satan may come against you breathing every evil lies? But at no time during your dark, stormy night is the enemy ever able to destroy you.

He shall fight for you according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes (Deut. 1:30).

God is faithufl to lead you and he led our forefathers into their crises for a reason, it was to teach them to trust him. He wanted a people who would be unshakable in their faith. They were to come out of the wilderness with a tried faith that was as pure as gold.

God Bless!

Rev. Millie M. Colon
March 26, 2004