Focus: God Has Final Say

Text: Ex.14:3

"For Pharaoh will SAY of the children of Israel, They are ENTANGLED in the land, the wilderness hath SHUT THEM IN."

Satan is always saying something and all he says are lies. You can't ever go to Satan, expecting to hear the truth from his mouth. Every word he says is intended to deceive. Every time he speaks, he does so out of limited knowledge. He makes wrong assumptions and comes to false conclusions because of his ignorance. Be assured that whatever Satan says is not binding on you. As far as you are concerned, Satan's word is not law.

Pharaoh says Israel is entangled in the land and shut in by the wilderness. Simply put, Pharaoh thinks that Israel is trapped - in the middle of nowhere. Pharaoh says, 'Israel can't escape. There is no exit to safety for him. He is locked in and goes nowhere from here.' Yes, Satan thinks there is no way out for you. He thinks you are hedged in and sees you as easy prey. He is either deceiving himself or being deceived, because what he says about you is not true. You are not trapped. The truth of the matter is that God uses the situation you are in to set Satan up for a shocker. Your God knows how best to put Satan to shame. God will always use you and what you are going through to disappoint and defeat Satan.

The Lord brought you out to bring you in. You can't be trapped. You are heading home. God who saved Israel from the traps of Pharaoh is saving you now from the shackles of Satan. Satan will suffer a big and devastating shock concerning you.

The Jewish leaders locked up Peter and John in prison for preaching Jesus Christ. But by night an angel of God released them. The following day, officials came to the prison, but couldn't find Peter and John. In their report they said, "The prison truly found we SHUT with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within" (Act.5:23). They suffered a big shock. God will give you a shocking miracle. You can't be shut in or locked out of your divine assignment. God will grant you an angelic assistance.

The Lord is about stepping into that little corner or space where you have locked yourself up for fear of the world around you. John reports on an experience they had with the resurrected Lord: "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were SHUT where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you" (Jh.20:19). The Lord Jesus Christ comes through closed doors and gives them a pleasant surprise. A couple of days later He gives them another surprise visit. John reports, "And after eight days AGAIN his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being SHUT, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you" (Jh.20:26). Our fears create our prisons. Our Lord owns us and our space. He is free as air. He can't be locked out, though at times He wants you to willingly open your door for Him to come in.

God disappointed Pharaoh, shocked the Jewish leaders, and sweetly surprised the disciples. Doors open in the desert for Israel. Peter and John get out of jail by angelic assistance, and Jesus comes to His own disciples through closed doors. I assure you, God has the last word in your life. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega. He has the final say in your life. Kick the fears out and trust your God. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter