I would like to share a story in the Bible that changed my life when it comes to worry.
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I have shared this story often on Telegram and it’s been requested many times. I would like to go into more detail and share why and how it made such an impact on my faith. Hopefully to encourage those that are stuck in a world of worry.
Do you have children? I’m a father of three daughters and two step children. All grown now.
Is there a tougher job on the planet than parenting.
I wasn’t an easy kid to parent and I haven’t been the greatest parent either.
With parenting comes worry. They sometimes go hand in hand. We worry because we love.
Do you worry about your kids? Worry about their situation? Their politics? Their faith?
Their future?
I’ve been there. Have you ever feared for your child’s life? I’ve been there too.
I would like to share a Bible story that God showed me that helped take away the fear and worry while increasing my faith.
The Basket
Exodus 1
In chapter one of Exodus we see that the Israelites had grown in large numbers in Egypt. So large that the Pharaoh feared them and enslaved them. The more he oppressed them, the more they grew in number. He ordered the midwives to kill all the baby boys but they refused because they feared God. So Pharaoh gave an order that every Hebrew baby boy be thrown into the river but every baby girl would be allowed to live.
That’s the backdrop.
Exodus 2:1-10
Baby Moses
Moses parents feared for their son’s life. They could hide him no longer so did the one thing they knew to do. They trusted God with his life. They placed him in the basket. They put that basket in the river and the rest is history.
They had no idea he would be found in the river by the Pharaoh’s daughter and that she would save him and adapt him. They had no idea he would be the one God would call personally to lead his people to freedom from Egypt.
They just trusted God with his life knowing God loves him and has a plan for him.
God feels the same for our children. He loves them. He has a plan for them and they belong to Him. He created them.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalms 139:13-16 NIV
God knows everything your children are going through. He also sees their future.
Do you have children you need to place in the basket?
We don’t control their lives. We also can’t protect them from everything or guarantee outcomes.
They belong to God. He created them. They are His.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is a great promise.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
It’s a famous verse many cling to. It’s a verse for you and your children. It reminds us that God is all knowing and He wants the best for us and our children too. Whether they are believers or not. It’s God’s nature. He is good all the time, all the time God is good! His good plans are for a good hope and a good future.
Who better to trust their lives with?
I am reminded of my own journey that I have shared a lot. I believed in God since I was a little kid but never knew my Savior.
Part of my journey was to become a Prodigal son. To live a decade in debauchery far from my faith. Some of us need that to reach a point that draws us back to God or maybe to Him for the first time. I value my relationship because of that journey. I was rescued.
We can do our best to guide and protect our kids but life is unpredictable and we aren’t in control.
I remember being asked one time if I would trade safety and security for my kids in exchange for knowing that somewhere down the road they would find Christ.
I said the obvious answer but it scared me to death. What would that look like? How bad would it have to get? Did I really mean it?
That’s what God confronted me with.
There’s an interesting word that God brought to my attention.
WHATEVER
That word can be used a few different ways. It can be used as a disrespectful statement by a disrespectful child. I’ve used it that way.
But it can also be used in the opposite way. A way of trusting.
God kept asking. Will you trust me with your child. Your troubled child?
As a Christian I think many Christians can relate to me wanting my kids to know Christ.
You want to know a scary thought?
Can you place them in the basket and say to God, “WHATEVER it takes Lord.”
That wasn’t easy. It was scary cause I can’t see the future. But I know God loves them and wants the best for them and there are no better hands to place them in.
God just asked me to love them where they are. I help. I guide. I love. But they are adults and I can no longer protect them. I have to trust. I have to trust that they are on a journey to meet Jesus just like I was. In my heart I have to be that father of the Prodigal son that is waiting expectantly. Trusting God’s promise. Ready to celebrate.
I have shared the Moses basket story often with people struggling with their kids.
But it’s not just our kids you can put in the basket.
Do you worry about your parents? Siblings? Maybe some close friends? Is it your job? Your situation?
WHATEVER it might be. Place it in the basket and float it down the river.
God loves you! He won’t stop loving you and He keeps loving you through every circumstance.
I’ve seen miracles only God could do.
I’ve seen Him restore relationships that had been broken for many years. I’ve seen Him heal and I’ve seen Him rescue. I’ve been in a really dark place with no light in sight and then at the other end of that tunnel I was blessed beyond what I deserve. I’ve learned a valuable thing about God. He never gives up! Even when I’m ready to He doesn’t. He’s good!
WHATEVER worry that is overwhelming you, in your heart make your way to the river and place it in the BASKET.
I don’t think you’ll regret it my friends.
Most of my difficulties and worries in life have turned into learning experiences and have increased my faith and trust.
The same can happen for you too.
I want to leave you with one more verse. Another popular one.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
This verse is often quoted and for good reason. But there is a short sentence of only four words that precedes these verses many people miss.
Don’t miss them.
At the end of Philippians 4:5 is this sentence that leads into these great verses.
THE LORD IS NEAR.
He is near. He always has been. Cast all your anxiety into the BASKET my friends.
Be encouraged!
Blessings!
Beautiful insights from Joe Lange!!
Thanks Joe. This is beautiful and comes at a time in my life when I really need it. Funny, how that works. God sends us messages all the time in many ways. Anyway, one of my sons and I have recently become estranged. My heart is broken and I have prayed to God to heal this rift between us. At the same time, however, I also feel like it has to be this way because he treats me (and other people too) very badly and I have allowed it to continue for far too long. Probably because I know his heart is good and there are many reasons for his behavior, but none the less, it is unexcusable. I am familiar with Mose's story but never considered how the parents must have felt putting their son in that basket. Thank you for reminding me that I need to hand over my worries to God. ❤️