August 17, 2023

We've all been there, in a position that looked impossible, a dead end where turning back would lead to certain destruction. You followed God's lead, but the enemy was closing in, and it seemed all hope was lost. Imagine being the children of Israel following Moses, and instead of taking the shortcut around the Red Sea, God sent them right to its edge. What now? When they left Egypt, God gave them a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day, so they knew they were going in the right direction. Pharaoh changed his mind, hardened his heart again, and pursued them. The Israelites freaked out because they could see them coming in the distance. When all hope is lost, and death is sure, God steps in and tells you to relax. Am I to sit there and wait? These people are going to kill me! This is the moment that popular but extraordinary verse comes into play. 

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

Mind you, it's dark, and God used the pillar of cloud to make it even darker to keep them from seeing one another. God told Moses to tell them to keep going and to lift his rod and stretch out his hand, and they would cross on dry land. Don't forget; it's dark! So scary, but they did it, and the Egyptians followed them in, and God released the water, and Israel saw their dead bodies washed up on the shore. Justice served! 

Whatever you are going through, don't stop going; face forward and walk through your Red Sea and watch as God destroys your enemies! Though this story works for the individual, it's much bigger than our personal issues; it fits more easily into an entire country's situation. The United States is up against a wall where lawlessness abounds, the enemy is in hot pursuit, and it looks like he's winning, but we are still a Christian country. Even though we are full of deniers, just as Israel was, I expect that he will come to our rescue where it can only be attributed to him so everyone will see and know it was God. Fear not; stand still!

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Exodus 14:13