The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. Exodus 14:14
The Israelites have good reason to panic. They have just fled from Egypt and ventured into the desert. Days later, Pharaoh regrets his decision and rallies his army with chariots to pursue Moses and the runaway slaves. Now the Israelites have taken a detour as they are following God's lead through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God leads them right into a dead end in front of the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army right on top of them. The future is bleak, rescue seems impossible, and Moses stands up and says, "Just stay calm!"
You could imagine how the people would have responded to these words. They would have been looking for a rock to hide under or extra wood to build a raft, and Moses said, "Just stay calm." The reminder from Moses is that God Himself was going to fight for them. This would have been reassuring to the Israelites because they had seen God fight for them. They saw the plagues he poured out upon the Egyptians and knew that He was able to defend them. God immediately speaks to Moses and shares His plans to deliver the people. He sends the cloud that was leading them to make a barrier between the Israelites and the Egyptians. Nothing can pass through this protective layer so God can spare His people. Then Moses takes his staff and stretches it out over the water, and God parts the Red Sea right in front of them, turning it to dry land.
God made a way when all seemed hopeless. It may be that you are reading this today and you feel as if you are up against a wall. On one side is what looks like an obstacle that can never be overcome and on the other side are your enemies who are about to overtake you. It is in those moments of desperation that God has a way of coming to our rescue. He shows up at just the right time and fights for us. This happens when we stay calm and continue to trust in Him. No matter what you are facing on either side, God is able to deliver you!
As you think and process God leading the Israelites into obstacles and barriers, take some time to consider your own life. Work through the following questions:
When was a time that you ran into an obstacle where there felt like there was no way out?
What was going on, and how did it feel to have no escape?
In that same way, when was a time where your enemies were right on top of you?
How has God in the past helped you to overcome your obstacles and enemies?
How can you trust Him today?
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.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 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. 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. When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”
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. 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.
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. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!
