ON THE VANGUARD

DAY OF LIBERATION
"Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.'"
Exodus 14:13-14

Today I am in California getting ready for the second longest moving road trip I have ever driven. Back in 1998, shortly after getting married, I moved from Montana to Tennessee in search of a new start and a better job. This time, however, it is not I who is moving but rather helping. After probably upwards of fifty years, the Lord has spoken to my mother that it is time for her to move in order that she may walk in the next season of life He has destined for her. In a way, I look at her like a modern day Abraham, moving from her native land to a place that God has called her to. She has never been to the place she is moving to, never seen the city or driven the streets, and never even considered moving away from California before, but no matter how hard she fights it, she knows this is God's leading. So today she takes the next steps of moving into her Promise Land by moving to Texas.
I have a front row seat in watching her move into her Promise as one who will be driving in the caravan traveling east, and I am filled with excitement. I am eager to see what God does for her as she takes these steps of faith. I am anxious to see the way God moves as she walks in obedience. And along the way, I am excited to see the majesty of God's creation as we drive through His country. But what seems to thrill me the most is how this day, picked by God for the move, lines up with the Hebrew calendar. Today is the 12th of Tamuz, known as the Day of Liberation. It is on this day that Jews are reminded and celebrate the liberation from exile and sentencing of spiritual slavery that we have been under. I venture to say, though, that you do not need only be a Jew to celebrate today.
When the children of God stood on the banks of the Red Sea, with water to their front and Egyptians forces to their rear, they paniced. I do not blame them. Either you had to suddenly be a great swimmer or you faced being taken back to Egypt for more harsh punishment. But it was while they stood their in fear, maybe weighing their options in haste and looking for some sign of relief, that Moses stood up and said, "''Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" As Moses spoke, God acted, causing the Red Sea to split and a dry path to be formed which the Israelites crossed over on. When the Egyptians tried to follow down the same path, the waters that God held up in place were then released, washing the Egyptians away. God had indeed liberated Israel from Pharoah's hand.
This is the same promise God offers to us; a Day of Liberation. While Israel shows us the physical slavery and bondage of a nation, it is possible that you are under a bondage or a slave as well. Maybe you are standing on the bank of your own Red Sea and ahead of you is water and behind you is the enemy coming at you with vengence. I have good news for you. This is your personal Day of Liberation. This is the day that you break free from under the yoke that has been weighing you down and see the hand of God in your life. While you may not be traveling into another state or city, you are traveling into another area of freedom that the Lord has destined for you. Are you ready? Then stand firm and you will see the deliverance of the LORD. The enemy you see today you will never see again for the LORD will fight for you. Welcome into the land of your Promise. Welcome to Liberation