SUPER HERO NEEDED

      Thing were looking pretty bad for Pupperville. Ever since the conspiracy of rebellion took over things have been getting worse and worse. You couldn't go anywhere in Pupperville without hearing about something that had gone wrong but you couldn't always tell if what you heard was true or not, especially if it came from Gladys Fisher.

      “Well, I'll be.” Gladys said as she entered the beauty parlor, “Is that you Daisy Smith?” “I sure hope it's me.” Daisy answered “Just getting my hair fixed up for the graduation ceremony tomorrow night.” “Does that mean you haven't heard yet?” Gladys said “They called off graduation because the kids quit going to school.”

      “I'd be tempted to not believe you.” Daisy said to Gladys, “But the kids have quit showing up for Sunday school and youth group at our church. Makes me wonder where the kids are going?” “Well I've heard plenty of stories as to where they are going but I won't bore you with that.” “Thank you, God” Daisy mumbled quietly under her breath.

       “But, I will tell you this.” Gladys said, “Things are getting worse.” “That.” Daisy responded, Is something you don't need to tell me because Louie ended up in the hospital.” “But, do you know why he ended up in the hospital?” No that was something Daisy didn't know and when Gladys said that here ears perked up.

      “Things around here have been getting worse, and they have gone beyond vandalism.” Gladys said, “Now things are being destroyed.” “Like what?” Daisy asked, “And what does that have to do with Louie?” “I heard it had something to do with the old abandoned warehouse on main street.” Gladys said. “It was burned to the ground. Two days ago.”

      “How does that affect Louie?” Daisy asked “Louie was in the hospital almost a week before the fire.” “I don't know everything.” Gladys said, “But I know the town is at its wits end. They've tried everything to put an end to the rebellion, but nothing has worked. Maybe they need some kind of super hero like you see in the movies.”

      “You can say that again.” Daisy said in agreement.” “So,” Gladys went on, “What is your church doing about the problem?” “What?” Daisy said “If the entire town can’t seem to stop it, how in the world is the church going to do anything?” “Well,” Gladys said, “From what I hear, the battle is probably a spiritual one. You need to be praying.”

      Thinking about it for a while Daisy said “For once, Gladys, You might be right. We should be praying for a miracle. And who know, maybe God will send us some kind of super hero to help us.” “There's only one way to find out.” Gladys said as her head was dunked under a flow of water in the sink. And without waiting for her to finish, Daisy said “I’ll go talk to my husband right now and see what he thinks. Maybe he will call a special prayer meeting?” and then she left with out getting her hair fixed up.

      In Exodus 12:33 we read All the Egyptians urged the people of Israel to get out of the land as quickly as possible, for they thought, "We will all die!" (NLT)

      After being slaves in Egypt and cruelly suffering at their hands. The Israelites were being FORCED to leave. God had plagued the people of Egypt so bad, they were afraid they would die. But Israel's troubles were not over.

      Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses: "Tell the people to march toward Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, opposite Baal-zephon. Then Pharaoh will think, `Those Israelites are confused. They are trapped between the wilderness and the sea!' And once again I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this so I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies. After this, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told. … When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites were not planning to return to Egypt after three days, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. "What have we done, letting all these slaves get away?" they asked. So Pharaoh called out his troops and led the chase in his chariot. … As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the LORD for help. Then they turned against Moses and complained, … But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!" … Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers—followed them across the bottom of the sea. But early in the morning, the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw them into confusion. Their chariot wheels began to come off, making their chariots impossible to drive. "Let's get out of here!" the Egyptians shouted. "The LORD is fighting for Israel against us!" When all the Israelites were on the other side, the LORD said to Moses, "Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back over the Egyptian chariots and charioteers." … This was how the LORD rescued Israel from the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites could see the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore.

Exodus 14 (NLT)

      Could Israel save it's self from Egypt? Sometimes we need God / hero to save us. When troubles that seem overwhelming, like being backed against a sea with an army closing in or a town's kids are out of control we need to remember we have a super hero and about that super we need to remember...

• Matthew 6:8 your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (NLT)
• Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. (NLT)
• Psalm 34:17-19 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one. (NLT)
• Isaiah 40:31But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (NLT)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• At what times or in what ways have you needed a super hero because things looked impossible?
• In what ways have you been a super hero to others?