By Shirley Rosemarie Evans
10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, 11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12 Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Exodus 14:10-14
The Israelites panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. This journey has not got off to a great start, the euphoria they felt at leaving Egypt quickly turned to confusion as they found themselves wandering around seemingly without sat nav or map going back the way they came and now confusion turns to outright panic as the army of Pharaoh overtakes them. In their fear and panic they turn on Moses telling him that they were better as slaves in Egypt than corpses in the Wilderness, and let’s be honest they may have a point. Well, they would have, But God!
They don’t know that the same God that destroyed all the firstborns in Egypt but spared their homes, the God who could work on Pharoah’s stony heart, this God who brought them out of Egypt is not about to leave them now. But Moses knows!
But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Exodus 14:13-14
I just love these two verses, how Moses speaks victory in the face of what must look like certain defeat. For so many of us today it may look as though the Egyptians have overtaken you: - You’ve had test results and the news is not favourable, or the debts are mounting and bankruptcy looms. You are in a difficult situation at work and things worsen by the day. The ministry you left the 9 to 5 to set up is facing setback after setback and this really isn’t how you thought it would be.
Like Moses reassured the children of Israel not to be afraid but to stand still and watch as God rescues them. Today likewise you speak these words of victory into your situation son and daughter of the Most High God. The Pharoahs that have overtaken you are a momentary distraction. Do you not know that the same God who sent His son to die for us when we did not know Him isn’t about to leave you now? Who can stand against The Lord of Host Armies? Well simply put no one. The Egyptians you see today you will see them no more. God is on your side child of God. He will fight for you. In the words of the popular culture of our time “Just stay Calm.” The difference is the slogan used in our culture is not grounded in any deep-rooted knowledge of an all-powerful God but when we use it we can declare it with the full assurance of knowing our God is always in control. So #Just Stay Calm.
Ask – Why were the Children of Israel so fearful?
Seek – In what areas of your life are you feeling overwhelmed or has fear caused you to lose your peace?
Knock – What things in your life do you need to surrender to the Lord of hosts trusting Him to fight for you and asking Him to help you to stay calm in the situation?
(Main Photo by ArtHouse Studio from Pexels)
(Inner Photo by Tomas Anunziata from Pexels)
