I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. (Jude 1:5)
Jude 1:5 puts us in remembrance of the deliverance of the Israelites from the clutches of Pharaoh. In fact, Jude used the Greek word sozo to say they were saved. Sozo indicates nothing was missing or broken from their lives. See, the Israelites were not only delivered from slavery, but they were also showered with silver and gold, and God ensured that not a single person was feeble among them. Talk about a grand exit from Egypt! However, God’s goodness in one season doesn’t always guarantee we will be in faith in the next if we allow the problems that surround us to dominate our thoughts and our words.
That’s what happened to the people of Israel. When fear echoed in their hearts and mouths, their faith was turned into fear. The same folks who witnessed miracles and walked through parted seas started to doubt, fear, and rebel against the very God who saved them.
Understanding what happened to the children of Israel should be a warning for us. How often do we witness God's hand upon our lives, only to fall into doubt when faced with uncertainty? The Israelites were physically saved but couldn't grasp the fullness of God's promise because doubt clouded their vision. Has doubt hindered you from fully embracing God's promises? Have you been, like the Israelites—saved but unable to move forward because of unbelief? Jude didn’t recount the Israelite’s story to create fear but to awaken faith in the power, provisions, and promises of God. When we stop remembering God’s faithfulness in our previous seasons, we can become full of fear and confusion in our current season.
Practical Application
When you find yourself frustrated and caught up with the problems around you, think about how God has been faithful in the past. Get a notebook and write it down!