WINTERS LAST GASP

As I write this it is April 13. There has been a shift in the seasons—winter is over, spring has arrived. Yet there is this stubborn refusal of “Chill Wills” to give up without a fight as we have had a frost within the last week. As the temperature drops into the thirties, the voice of unbelief always boasts: “See, nothing has changed.”

This scuffle of conflicting atmospheric conditions mirrors spiritual warfare. When God brings about seasons of change in our life, there is always a battle to be fought as two opposite armies prepare to do battle. When the hot displeasure of God’s wrath is poured out against the cold calculated cruelness of the devil, there is sure to be a storm of deliverance for you—destruction for him.

God brought Israel out from under the bondage of Egypt at the beginning of spring: “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Exodus 12:2). This was in the month Abid, which corresponds with the latter part of March and the first of April. He purposely led them to a place of testing: “And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon” (Exodus 14: 1-2).

Pi-hahiroth means fortress—a stronghold. Migdol means place of sedge, a plant that has spikes of flowers. Baal-zephon means “lord of winter.” When Israel was one step away from their miracle, they were confronted with one last attempt of the stronghold of winter. They could see the spring flowers and simultaneously hear the voice of barrenness.

God purposely led them to where the only path to follow was the path of impossibility. On either side was a mountain, behind them was an enraged Egyptian army, and before them was the Red Sea. When Israel saw the army of Egypt the voice of winter screamed inside their head: “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11).

Now there was no denying the presence of this angry army, no more than I can deny that “You can freeze to death in the springtime.” But what can be denied was the lie Pharaoh had spoken in his arrogance: “They are entangled in the land; the wilderness hath shut them in” (Exodus 14:3). Pharaoh was soon to learn a most vital lesson: you can not shut in what God is bringing out!

We serve a God who changes the seasons. We serve a God who calleth those things that are not as though they were, who works and no one can stop it. He had told Moses that he would be honored upon Pharaoh and his host and it was as good as done before it came to pass. The army pursuing Israel would be seen no more: “The Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever” (Exodus14:13).

You know the story: God parted the Red Sea, brought Israel across on dry land, and annihilated the pursuing army. They would not be seen again just as snow is not seen in July! What voice are you hearing as you face your Red Sea? Anything but “Go forward” is a lie of “winter.” As you step out in faith the waters will be parted in deliverance for you and devastation for your enemy