Bridge to a New Beginning or to Disaster?

The events and attitudes that precede a new beginning often determine its success. Yearning for a new beginning may be prompted by someone’s unhappiness, boredom, or discontent. An exception was Moses. God intervened in his life when a new beginning wasn’t even contemplated. Another exception was the Pharaoh of Egypt, who was content using the Hebrew slaves for his construction projects.

The Egyptians would have to experience ten consecutive disasters to be convinced God meant business about freeing his people. The tenth disaster struck so hard and was so personal to all the Egyptians that compliance to God's plan appeared to be their only choice.

Pharaoh's stubbornness built a bridge to these disasters which eventually caused the death of the Egyptians’ firstborn sons. It can be difficult to trust the future completely into God's care. Even though transitions aren’t easy, God will provide whatever is required to make sure his plan for us is comprehended and brought to fruition.

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Let everyone in all the would – men, women, and children – fear the Lord and stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command! And with a breath he can scatter the plans of al the nations who oppose him, but his own plan stands forever. His intentions are the same for every generation.

~Psalm 33:8-11 The Living Bible

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Check Out the Unusual

Our nation was built on the promise of a new beginning spiritually and economically for all who claimed the promise. When God spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, he offered him a new beginning. After years of living safe and secure as a shepherd, God intervened in a lifestyle Moses believed would never change.

One day as he was caring for his sheep, something very unusual caught his attention. He observed a burning bush that didn't disintegrate in the fire, so he decided to check it out. This simple act would be the first step that marked the beginning of a change in his life that would identify him as a great figure in world history.

New beginnings often come about after a moment of inspiration that builds a bridge to a future only God could plan. When Moses went to look at the burning bush, God spoke to him. As we give God our full attention, he may reveal his purpose to us, and there is no greater motivation than this for a new beginning. So trust in the Lord as he guides you forward.  

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“This is strange,” Moses thought. “Why isn’t the bush burning up? I will go closer and see.” When the Lord saw that Moses was coming closer, he called to hm from the middle of the bush and said, “Moses! Moses!” He answered, “Yes, here I am.”

~Exodus 3:3-4 Good News Bible

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In Need of a New Beginning?

          

I can only imagine the mixture of feelings Joseph experienced as he faced his brothers who had abandoned him two decades earlier. Now his brothers were facing a crisis, and Joseph could save them from disaster. Joseph deliberately accused these brothers of being spies to set in motion his goal of reconciliation. 

Joseph proposed keeping Simeon, his half-brother, in custody while the others returned home to bring Benjamin, his full-brother, back to Egypt. Their response was guilt and fear. "Surely we are being punished because of our sin. Joseph pleaded for his life, but we would not listen." Unconfessed and unforgiven sin eventually evolves into a crisis. 

Although these brothers were experiencing a personal crisis, God was preparing for their redemption, reconciliation and a new beginning. This is God's way. We must do our part by repenting, seeking forgiveness and making amends for our sins. This builds a bridge for a new beginning.  Are you in need of a new beginning? Think about it.  

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The Lord sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.

~Proverbs 15:3 Good News Bible

And all wrongdoers will be repaid for the wrong things they do, because God judges everyone by the same standard.

~Colossians 3:25 Good News Bible

  

The people whom I dearly love, I always reprove and discipline. So keep on being earnest and once for all repent.

~Revelation 3:19 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People