God in the Detail

Growing up and into my late teen years, I had a reading disability. I could read but didn’t understand what I read.  There was little to no comprehension.  I learned to listen.  Listen for details. While the teacher reviewed the prior night’s homework in class (while the rest of the students messed around) I was paying attention. In my lack, I learned the skill to mark the who/what/where/why and how.  Fast-forward. God healed my mind, divinely making the connection a couple of months into my first year at Bible college, unfolding the night I finally surrendered fully to His call on my life. Healed, but packing with me the tools I learned over the years. God doesn’t waste a thing. He uses it for our growth and His glory. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You for the process of skill learning. Thank You for healing me.

We often miss details.  Details in the big picture. Detail God put there on purpose, for a reason. I would offer we slow down when reading the Bible. Invite Holy Spirit to read with us. Specifically asking to see the detail of who/what/where/why and how in the context.  I think we would be amazingly astounded at God’s creative, glorious display of His character!  God in the detail.

I have been looking at Miriam, (Moses’ older sister) her early years in the book of Exodus.  I know the story, but something stood out to me this time as I rabbit trailed down a delightful path.  As I read, (asking, “Holy Spirit show me!”) Pharoah, the King of Egypt attempted to destroy the growing nation of Hebrews, ordering the midwives to kill the baby boys.  When that didn’t work, he decreed “Every boy that is born, you must throw into the Nile” (Ex 1:22, NIV).  He was drowning the Hebrews.

Fast-forward to Exodus 14.  The Hebrews were delivered from slavery and now standing on the edge of the sea. They crossed on dry ground.  But the Egyptians did not. “The Egyptians were fleeing, and the LORD swept them into the sea.  The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen.  Not one of them survived” (vv 27b-28). God drowned the Egyptians.

Wow.

What detail. In the big picture of God’s delivering plan. The bad guys were drowning the lil Hebrew baby boys and God takes out the whole army of men. Not to mention, but I will, He took out everything. The men and their fancy means of war (chariots & horses). Interesting, God did not allow the men to run (the baby boys couldn’t run) “Let us get away from the Israelites!” (v25)… “the LORD swept them into the sea” (v27). God doesn’t miss a thing. Drowning?  Let ME show you drowning!

God doesn’t just exert His power, to exert power. He told Moses, “I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army” (v17).  Verse 31, “When the Israelites saw the great power of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in Him.”

There is purpose in detail, purpose in power.

May we learn from this true event about the character of our God. Do-NOT-Mess-With-Me-Or-My-People!  God doesn’t miss a thing. He knows the details of OUR lives.  He will and does interject Himself in our story.  If not now, it’s coming. Someday. I, like you, (by faith) await the time, we will say, “Fast-forward” when telling our story. May we continue to turn the pages.

It doesn’t take a two-three letter degree behind our name or a nicely framed certificate on our wall, “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Ps 119:130).  Unfold Lord! Thank You in advance for all the visual aids You will use.  Holy Spirit give us ears to hear and eyes to see–YOU! May what we see and learn cause us to be in awe of You and most importantly–bring YOU glory! 

God in the detail.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).