When God leads in a new year or in a new way, you can either trust Him or fear the future. Many would prefer a tyranny they know to the freedom of a future they do not know.
Remember the Israelites who followed God, fled Egypt, then found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian Army? They panicked. They decided that they preferred the slavery in Egypt to the freedom awaiting them on the other side of that wall called the Red Sea.
When Israel saw Pharaoh’s approaching soldiers, they turned to Moses and blurted, “Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.”
This is the mindset of enslaved people. This is the sentiment of a slave. This is the reality of many who consider the New Year. They conform to the world instead of following Christ.
Alexander Hamilton said, “A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.” The same is true of individuals. Many of God’s own people find a sort of comfort in slavery to the world.
Rather than launch out in obedience and faith, they settle for what Egypt can provide. When confronted with the prospect of being free to serve God, they are resentful. “Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians!”
When the people of Israel trusted and followed God, He parted the sea and made a way. “And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.”
In the coming year, we each have the choice between living in fear and living in faith. The only way to move ahead is to be willing to follow the Lord and to be obedient when He shows you the way. That is living by faith.