So many people are faced with resistance or obstacles as they strive to advance in life. Obstacles could be satanic devices and agents aimed at truncating ones progress in ministry, business, career or any other life endeavor. For example, unfriendly laws, policies and environments of a particular nation or community can be an obstacle to the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as growth of businesses. Sickness, disease and poverty can also stand against the fulfilment of an individual’s dreams. The good news is that no matter how great that obstacle is, God can make you walk through it. The Israelites were afraid when they noticed that the Egyptians were running after them and that they did not have any ship to cross the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10).
The Red Sea was an obstacle to the Israelites as they left Egypt for the Promised Land – Canaan, however, the same Red Sea parted for the Israelites to walk through to a place of safety. Their enemies also drowned in the Red Sea. How did this happen?
Jesus Christ – The Rod
God saw the obstacle, but asked the Israelites to continue moving forward; so in the midst of that challenge, do not throw in the towel. Moses did not remember that the rod he held was used to perform wonders earlier in the burning bush and before Pharaoh. God reminded Moses to lift up the rod and stretch his hand over the sea to divide it.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:15-16
From this Bible passage, God expects His children to boldly face every obstacle on their way using the spiritual blessings at their disposal. God specifically instructed Moses to divide the Red Sea using the rod he held. Moses worked with the Spirit of God to divide the Red Sea.
“And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” Exodus 14:21-22
For every born again Christian, the rod Moses used to divide the Red Sea is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ can make you walk through every obstacle.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots…” Isaiah 11:1
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham….And Jesse begat David the king…” Matthew 1:1,6
Moses did not know what to do until God asked him to use the rod. Likewise, many people do not know what to do when faced with obstacles in life. They have not accepted Jesus Christ so that they can have a relationship with God. If you are in this category of people, you can receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. When you receive Jesus Christ into your life, God gives you power to move obstacles standing against your progress in any endeavor. You can say this prayer of salvation.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name..” John 1:12
You cannot walk through any obstacle in life without Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus helps a believer to overcome challenges.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
The Rod Weapon
Every child of God has Jesus Christ dwelling in Him. The Bible tells us that in Jesus Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. So, with Jesus Christ, a believer can move mountains by faith.
“For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9
The name and blood of Jesus Christ are key weapons that every believer has to face any obstacle. The written word of God is another weapon for walking through obstacles.
The name of Jesus is higher than any obstacle and mountains are brought low at the mention of the name. Jesus is indeed Lord over every obstacle.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth..” Philippians 2:9
Jesus said that whatever we ask in His name, He will do it. The Spirit of God glorifies the name of Jesus whenever mentioned by a believer. So, it is a privilege for every believer to use the name of Jesus Christ to walk through challenges. A believer can rule in the midst of his or her enemies using the name of Jesus.
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
“The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.” Psalms 110:2
The blood of Jesus Christ is another spiritual weapon that helps every child of God to overcome adversaries and obstacles. The power in the blood of Jesus Christ pulls down every satanic stronghold. When faced with any challenge, use the blood of Jesus to walk through.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony….” Revelations 12:11a
The written and spoken word of God is the sword of the spirit that every child of God needs to walk through obstacles (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus said,”..the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). Therefore, when the appropriate word of God is used by a believer, the Spirit of God goes to work and no obstacle can withstand its power. We are to search for the appropriate word of God to use when faced with obstacles because there is a specific word that is meant to address every challenge. We shall continually walk through any obstacle that comes our way in Jesus’ name. The same way the Israelites rejoiced and praised God after crossing the Red Sea, we shall rejoice every moment of our lives.
Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 