He Is My Defense
By Carl Kimbro, with Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team 7/17/19
God
had just worked through Moses to part the Red Sea and deliver the Israelites
from the bondage of the Egyptians. The Israelites were new to trusting God. They
had witnessed the ten plagues with which God punished the Egyptians. They had
even just literally walked on dry ground through the middle of the Red Sea as
it miraculously parted to both sides of them. But when the first
crisis after leaving Egypt hit, they panicked and blamed Moses for what they
saw as certain death. The joy of freedom quickly turned to despair and a
longing for the status quo. It was better they said to stay in their misery of
slavery than to face failure and death in the desert.
They quickly lost faith in the God who had delivered them.
How
often has this played out in our lives? We come to God and find freedom from
our struggles. We leave our Egypt and slavery behind and head off for our new
life. But the moment that first crisis hits, we
say, “I can’t do this. Why, God, did you not
just leave me alone? I was comfortable in my habits. Now I’m struggling, and I
feel worse than I felt before.” We’re one step away from giving up and going back.
Recovery
isn’t a onetime occurrence, and then we’re done. It’s a journey that requires
us to trust God for our continued
deliverance. When I first came to CR, I was afraid to admit
my own struggles. My need to be in control was huge. I convinced myself I could
handle it alone. I didn’t trust God for my freedom,
and my life continued to spiral out of control. A few people could see the lie
I was telling myself and reached out to me. They reminded me God cared.
Soon
I started the recovery process in earnest. Often, I wanted to say out loud what
I felt inside, “This won’t work. I should have
stayed where I was. I had this hope for finding freedom and now it’s gone.” But
I had to believe the truth in Isaiah 41:13. God wasn’t going to let me fail. He
didn’t want me to fear. He would help me.
For I am the
Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
“Do not fear; I will
help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
God
knew what I needed. He provided me with accountability partners who challenged
me to trust Him. When I felt temptation
come my way, they were there. Slowly at first, but then more rapidly life
changed for me. I still face temptation, but God is holding my right hand – walking
with me through the hard times. I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.
Are
you struggling in your recovery? Don’t try to walk through recovery alone. Find Godly accountability partners to
walk with you. Look to God for your strength. Let the words from Exodus 14:13-14
be true for you. Trust God and “The Egyptians” (habits/hang ups) you see today
you will never see again. The Lord will
fight for you; you need only to be still.
Click HERE to listen to "My Defense" by Vertical Worship
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