It's just a story

     The Israelites were in captivity in Egypt for a long time giving their toil to the Egyptians their toil whether they liked it or not.  But, their flocks flourished as did their people.  Through historical documents we learned that they escaped from Egypt by travelling to on foot or animal or cart to the sea that God would divide.  Like most stories this one is told to our children and there is little explanation of the who, what, where, why and how of the event.  So, with that in mind, we can look back and see that this was no ordinary exodus.  First they were God's chosen people.  Second, they were in slavery for 400 years.  Third, they were far from the land God had promised them.  Fourth, they were escaping because God was bringing plagues to the Egyptian people.  The last plague was the angel of death travelling and killing the firstborn among the people but sparing the Israelites.  How God brought the escape of 4.25 million people is amazing.  Yes, I said 4.25 million.  I know it's not an exact figure but it's about the number that fled in the exodus.  It's hard to imagine that many people so think of the Puget Sound area for an example. Seattle and surrounding neighboring cities make up around that number give or take.  That's a long time for Moses to hold up that staff.  But then, it's just a story.
     David was anointed to be king about the age of 13 years.  Saul who was king, did not like it but used David as his personal musician for years.  When David realized that Saul was seeking to kill him, David fled with his "Mighty Men" and were on the run for quite some time.  At one point David and his men have fled into the mountain ravine and are hiding in a cave.  He knows there is no way out so he pens the 23 Psalm as his solace with God.  The distance from Jerusalem to David's location is about 2 weeks journey for Saul and his men.  They are approaching the hiding place when they receive word that the Egyptians (pesky people) are invading from the south.  That's about a month for a runner to come and notify him.  King Saul leaves to protect the southern border and David and his Mighty Men are spared to fight another day. Just how much planning goes into God's work of protecting David?  Let's see, time wise God's deliverance is put into play at least 2 weeks before Saul moves to kill David and his men.  Remembering that God has anointed David as king, God has already provided for his deliverance before David writes Psalm 23.  That's an amazing example of how God is working to take care of you and I today.  We need to know that he works for us but not how.  But then, it's just a story.
     Jesus has been crucified and risen from the dead when Paul comes on the scene just in time to be a part of the lynch mob that stones Steven to death while he is celebrating with God.  He goes on to be the lead person in the movement to put down the Way.  The Way are the first century church people who love Jesus and have committed themselves to loving and honoring Jesus as their Savior.  They are forced to meet "underground" so that they aren't captured worshipping and be killed.  Paul has such an anger at their proliferation that he seeks and gets a letter telling everyone that he, Paul, has the authority to capture and kill those who are Christian.  I don't know how many Christians Paul was responsible for regarding capture an death.  I do know that those Christians were interceding with God on his behalf.  Praying for their enemies.  Like me, Paul required a wake up call.  God delivered along the road to Damascus in a very public and definitive way. He appears to Paul, blinds him, and tells him to stop persecuting his people.  Smack!  Paul didn't see that coming.  He travels to the home of a Christian man who is called to pray for him and receives his sight back.  Amazing!  Paul then goes on to found many churches, bring loads of people to the place where they can love and accept Jesus.  This story is about God's fulfillment of his promises to care for his people and to protect them.  Nothing is told about all the others who had followed Paul before his conversion.  The war against Christianity is nasty.  But then, it's just a story.  It's also your choice what you are going to do with it.