Ever been surrounded by job loss on one side, a wayward child on another, and medical issues on yet another side? At that point you wonder:

• Where is God???
• Why am I in this situation??
• Did He bring me out to destroy me?

What I realize from my experience with God is that “It’s a Set-up!”

When the Children of Israel left Egypt, they left with great rejoicing! After over 400 years of slavery they were free. That is . . . until God intentionally leads them into what appears to be a trap. This is what he tells Moses: “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon” (Exodus 14:1).

Apparently, the Children of Israel were hemmed in with mountains on all sides and the Red Sea in front of them. You have to wonder: A Trap? Or a Set-up? The Children of Israel saw it as a Trap! God saw it differently. This is what He says to Moses: “When Pharaoh sees their location, he will think ” . . .

• ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ (NIV)
• ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’ (NLT)
• ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ (NASB)
• ‘They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. (JPS)

God intentionally sent His children into what seemed to be a trap . . . and here is the reason:  “I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” (Exodus 14:4 JPS). IT WAS A SET-UP!

Consider this New Testament scenario: Yeshua has just worked miracles among the crowd in Matthew 14:22: “Immediately Yeshua made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side.” Consider the word “made.” He coerced them! He told them! He gave them an order. As I read this passage, here is my dialogue with Yeshua:

• ME: But Yeshua, there is going to be a storm at sea and the disciples will be in the midst of it.
• YESHUA: I know.
• ME: Then why are you sending them out into the very midst of it?

Say it with me: IT’S A SET UP!

YESHUA: I’m trying to show you My glory! I want you to see a glimpse of Who I really am! I’m trying to bring you deeper into My presence!

Say it with me again: IT’S A SET-UP!!!

Whatever you’re facing today, you are not in it alone! It is true that some things we bring upon ourselves, but God can use even those things to set us up for a blessing! Between a rock & a hard place!??? Between Migdol, Baal-Zephon, Pi-hahiroth and the sea??  IT’S A SET-UP!!! Out on a boat in the midst of the storm!!!  IT’S A SET-UP!!! Stop seeing things as Pharaoh did or as the Children of Israel did. It’s not a trap! IT’S A SET-UP!

Let Him get what He wants: Honor & Glory!!  He’s worthy of ALL of it!!

Shalom Oveerecha,
(Peace & Blessings)