Daily Devotionals

PUT GOD IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT Week 1: Saturday

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 have often thought letting go of control would be easier if we knew the outcome. Of course, knowing the outcome is impossible because we cannot see the future. The truth is we cannot see the future. We cannot know what is on the other side of giving control over to God and obeying Him. We can, however, trust Him, the God who does see the future and who is in control. We have no idea what stands on the other side of trusting Him, but God does, and He is trustworthy. When we give Him control, we reap the benefits of following and obeying Him.

Moses experienced the benefits of obeying God and giving Him control in Exodus 14. We left off of his story yesterday with Pharaoh finally agreeing to let the Israelites be freed from slavery in Egypt. This is not the end of the story, however. You see, we learn in Exodus 14 that after the Israelites set out to leave Egypt for a new land that God had promised them, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. They did not want the Israelites to be free from slavery. Pharaoh and his army went after the Israelites. Eventually, the Egyptian army caught up with the Israelites. Of course, when this happened, the Israelites panicked to Moses. His response was incredible. He said, "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" (verses 13-14). He knew that God would rescue Israel. Just as Moses said, God rescued Israel by parting the Red Sea through Moses as the Egyptians approached them. As soon as the Israelites walked across the Red Sea, the water collapsed, and all of the Egyptians who followed the Israelites through the sea died in the water. Scripture tells us, "When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses" (verse 31). The Israelites believed in God because of what had happened. Even more, Exodus 15 tells us that the Israelites rejoiced and praised God for what had been done.

Imagine if Moses had refused to obey God. God could have used someone else to rescue Israel, but Moses would have missed out on everything that God had in store through him. I wonder what we miss out on because we don't want to let go of control and obey. What if, this year, we commit to obedience and trust God to be in the driver's seat? Then, watch as He works and honors your obedience.

Moving toward action

You have no idea what the results of giving God control and letting Him in the driver's seat will be. You can, however, trust Him and His plan. Think about that area where you need to give over to God and obey Him. Today, your challenge is to take steps toward obedience. As you obey, you will see that God's way is always best, and we can trust Him and His control in our lives.  

Going Deeper

Going Deeper - Exodus 14:1-31

"Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses: 2 "Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon. 3 Then Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!' 4 And once again I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told.

5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. "What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?" they asked. 6 So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops. 7 He took with him 600 of Egypt's best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance. 9 The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh's army-all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.

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."

15 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. 18 When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!"

19 Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. 20 The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.

21 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. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

23 Then the Egyptians-all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers-chased them into the middle of the sea. 24 But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. 25 He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. "Let's get out of here-away from these Israelites!" the Egyptians shouted. "The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!"

26 When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, "Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers." 27 So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers-the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.

29 But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. 30 That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. 31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses."