We look at God when we are in trouble, for we know He is the only way of escape. But the dilemma is how? Will it be a miraculous escape or a narrow escape? Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God had promised them that He will take them out from there. But they did not know how? If they knew how, they would have listened to Moses but they did not. Some of them never wanted to leave Egypt at all. Israelites coming out of Egypt was something of great escape. Now the question is, should we expect such big escapes every time?
The Lord said, “Say this to him: ‘This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the land. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’” Jeremiah 45:4,5
Jeremiah was a prophet who prophesied to Israelites. But Israelites never paid any attention to him. But there was a man who was assisting Jeremiah and his name was Baruch, son of Neriah. When all Israelites, leaders and influential people were not listening to Jeremiah, this man was assisting him. Jeremiah faced lot of accusations and allegations. Baruch helped him, by going to places where Jeremiah was barred to go. Some people said Baruch was influencing Jeremiah and leading them to the gate of destruction. They were calling him traitor, just because he was helping Jeremiah.
We may think that by helping or say by standing for God we are entitled for blessings. But when we see that sorrow has been added to our already existing pain, then we groan and groan. As Baruch says, “The Lord has added sorrow to my pain: I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.”
God’s answer to Baruch was to stop seeking good things for himself but yes, He will let him escape with his life. In other words, a narrow escape. We may not see red sea parting every time. We may not see Jericho wall breaking down every time. Not every time Angels will come to free the apostles from jail. Sometimes you will only get a basket to escape.
God has many things to be concerned of. Jonah the prophet was greatly displeased with God for He did not destroy Nineveh. And God’s answer to Jonah in Jonah 4:11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city. God has concern for everybody. Maybe that’s why God taught us to start the prayer by saying “Our Father”. When God is overthrowing and uprooting what he planted, Should we then seek great things for ourselves?
There will be a time when we can ask for great things or will have great escapes. Just like Moses bringing Israelites out of Egypt or Joshua defeating the Canaanites. People of Old Testament used to mark the places where they witnessed great things by making altars or by naming the place. And it is done so that future generations might remember it. But no one marks the narrow escape. Narrow escapes give same wonder and bewilderment that we get in great escapes.
Be it great or narrow escape, remember to give glory to that almighty God who is the architect behind our escape. Greatest escape from this world is awaiting for those who are in the QUIVER OF GOD.
May GOD bless you all..
God bless you