PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Exodus 13-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)
How do you respond when things go crazy, or fall apart, or become stressful?
For me, I jump into ‘panic’ mode, and try to manage and fix things.
On the one hand, this is good; God wired us to respond wisely to challenges.
But to clarify, we were wired us to respond to challenges WITH God, not FOR God.
Too often we (I) go it alone, take things into our own hands, or forget about God.
I love these words of Moses (v.14), but I am also challenged by them.
When the stress levels rise, instead of going into ‘panic’ mode, try ‘peace’ mode.
Breathe deep, quiet the mind, go slow, and face the tension WITH God.
God has come to us in Jesus to be WITH us, to walk with us through the valleys.
Too often our panic only increases the problem, our responses only makes things worse.
Jesus will help you differently than Israel in this story… but he will help!
Don’t let the enemy scare you into folly or frustration – which is his intention.
I find it helpful to repeat the words, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Try it next time you face a crisis, and see how the Lord makes a way for you!
PRAYER
Lord, I see you resting on the boat while the storm rages. Remind me that you are Lord of the wind and waves of life, and help me be still with you!
Israelites were told to dedicate every firstborn – every firstfruit to the Lord! Why – so that they would remember that it is God who provides – who cares for them I am to remember! Pharaoh relents and brings out his power: “He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.” It frightened the vulnerable caravan of Israel. And it scared them totally! They now feel they are going to die – they avoided the death of firstborns but now they feared for their own lives. But God intervenes in a dramatic way – and walk through a sea and see that might army of Pharoah – drowned: “And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. It was Pharaoh’s last stand – and he was wiped out under the power of God. I too must not forget whose I am – I my be weak but He is strong!!
God had given His Word but the people were quickly afraid when they saw their enemies approaching. Their confidence was in themselves rather than God. Rely upon the Lord and He will lead you, even when you walk through dark valleys. He has promised and I need to rely upon His promises. Faith over fear. Stop. Look. And see how the Lord God is with you and me at all times. Focus of Him. Remember Peter walking on the water. He took his eyes off Jesus and started sinking. I need to keep my eyes on Jesus.
Keep Your Eyes On Jesus,
When The Tidal Waves Of Trouble Round You Roll.
Keep Your Eyes On Jesus,
He Will Calm The Storms Of Life That Toss Your Soul.
Living In A World That’s Full Of Sorrow.
We Are Tried And Tempted Every Day.
Knowing Not The Secret Of Tomorrow.
We Find Refuge When We Watch And Pray.