The LORD Will Fight For You | Exodus 14
Welcome to Real Life. There’s a time to stop running from my problems. There’s even a time to stop fighting them. My enemy can be much too powerful to conquer. That’s when it’s time to be still and let God fight for me.
The Israelites have left Egypt and begun their journey through the desert to the Promised Land.[1] God Himself is leading them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. (How cool is that?) He directs them to set up camp at the edge of the Red Sea.
Back in Egypt, Pharaoh receives the report that the Israelites are wandering around lost in the desert. He and his officials begin to reconsider, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and lost their services!”[2] The leaders of Egypt devise a new plan. They will send all their horses and chariots, horsemen and troops to pursue Israel, take them captive, and lead them back to Egypt. (How quickly they have forgotten the plagues – see last week’s blog.)
Back at the Red Sea camp, someone notices a cloud of dust on the horizon. They soon realize this is no sand storm. It’s the Egyptian army. In fear, the Children of Israel turn on Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us?” (How quickly Israel has forgotten God’s awesome power in setting them free.)
Moses answers,
Taking it further …
[2] Exodus 14:5
[3] Exodus 14:13-14
[4] Exodus 14:25
[5] Zechariah 4:6
The Israelites have left Egypt and begun their journey through the desert to the Promised Land.[1] God Himself is leading them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. (How cool is that?) He directs them to set up camp at the edge of the Red Sea.
Back in Egypt, Pharaoh receives the report that the Israelites are wandering around lost in the desert. He and his officials begin to reconsider, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and lost their services!”[2] The leaders of Egypt devise a new plan. They will send all their horses and chariots, horsemen and troops to pursue Israel, take them captive, and lead them back to Egypt. (How quickly they have forgotten the plagues – see last week’s blog.)
Back at the Red Sea camp, someone notices a cloud of dust on the horizon. They soon realize this is no sand storm. It’s the Egyptian army. In fear, the Children of Israel turn on Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us?” (How quickly Israel has forgotten God’s awesome power in setting them free.)
Moses answers,
“Do not be afraid …. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”[3]
God commands Moses to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the Red Sea. The angel of God (who was traveling with them) and the pillar of cloud move from in front of the people to behind them. This creates a barricade between God’s people and the approaching army. All night the LORD drives back the sea with a strong east wind. The waters separate, leaving a dry path. The Israelites venture through the sea with a wall of water on their right and their left. The entire nation arrives safely on the opposite shore.
The Egyptian army foolishly pursues Israel into the Red Sea. Surrounded by walls of water, God releases the sea. The soldiers cry out, “The Lord is fighting for them.”[4] The entire army is swept away and drowns.
Egypt is defeated. Israel has not lifted a sword. God fought for them.
Is there a Pharaoh after you? Is a stubborn problem, person, or addiction pursuing you that just won’t quit? Do you feel trapped with no escape by an enemy too powerful to conquer? Maybe it’s time to stop running and fighting. Maybe it’s time to be still and let God fight for you.
The Egyptian army foolishly pursues Israel into the Red Sea. Surrounded by walls of water, God releases the sea. The soldiers cry out, “The Lord is fighting for them.”[4] The entire army is swept away and drowns.
Egypt is defeated. Israel has not lifted a sword. God fought for them.
Is there a Pharaoh after you? Is a stubborn problem, person, or addiction pursuing you that just won’t quit? Do you feel trapped with no escape by an enemy too powerful to conquer? Maybe it’s time to stop running and fighting. Maybe it’s time to be still and let God fight for you.
“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit,
says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”[5]
Thank you, Lord, for the many battles you have fought and won in my life. May I never forget your power to deliver me.
- Though Israel did not fight, they did cooperate with God. They trusted him. They obeyed and walked through the midst of the Red Sea. Are you willing to cooperate with God?
[2] Exodus 14:5
[3] Exodus 14:13-14
[4] Exodus 14:25
[5] Zechariah 4:6
Angel image from: http://epignosisministries.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/angel-of-the-lord.jpg?w=775
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I am in this place right now so this post is very timely for me. The enemy is too strong for me. I like that you are willing to say this. It gives others the freedom to know that this admission is not a sign of weakness. Thank you, Peggi. You have a true gift for taking scripture into present-day real-world situations.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linnea. I'm in this place, too - though I wasn't when I first wrote this post. I just loved the story. Now, I am working on cooperating with God and letting him fight this battle.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI needed to read this today. I have been going through something very heavy and each morning I have gotten up and said, "No matter the difficulty, God has given me the power to overcome." That has helped me stick with it, although I must admit, there has been times during this period when I have cried. But, when that has happened, I have always been taken back to a time when God brought me through something. When I look back over my path so far, I can honestly say, If it had not been for the LORD who was on my side,..........
Thank you Peggi for reminding me once again, not only that our God is greater, but our God never leaves us alone. As he says in Psalm 34, the LORD hears the cry of his children and none of us who trust in Him are desolate. He never leaves us alone.
Love you, dearly.
Ciao,
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you today - that he will lift you out of the heavy situation. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. I'm feeling especially weak right now, myself. I'm trusting that God will fight for both of us!
Love you back, Peggi