43 of 365 - Be Still

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.  The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14
 
Finally, freedom! Moses leads the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt with God as their guide. But Pharaoh has a moment of panic realizing his entire free labor force had left. He sends large and powerful armies to pursue them. The Israelites see them getting closer and closer and are filled with fear.  Terrified, they say they would prefer to be back in Egypt. Back to slavery and mistreatment.

How quickly we forget? How quickly we prefer the destructive known to the promising unknown? Fear distorts and blinds truth. Fear keeps us locked on our circumstances instead of God’s promises. Fear fixes our eyes behind us instead of looking up and out.

“The Lord will fight for you,” Moses declares. Just be still.

God through Moses parts the Red Sea and the entire Israelite population (several million!) walk on dry land to the other side. The astonished Israelite’s watch as the water closes in on all the Egyptians pursuing them. God provided as He promised.

Moses and the people sing a song of praise and worship to God. But it only takes three days on the other side for the grumbling to begin again. This time they are thirsty. God directs Moses to throw a log into the water, making it sweet and drinkable. Another miraculous provision.

God wants His people to KNOW that they need Him and that He WILL provide. In all of our fear and worry and limitations, God says, “Be still. You’re not supposed to have this. I will fight this one for you. I’ve got this.”
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Questions: Have you ever settled for the destructive known instead of pursuing a promise in unknown territory? How have you seen God fight for you?