It is true, the account is packed full of lessons to be learned.
Beginning this New Year, it is good to remember this story and understand where we stand before the Father.
If you recall, Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons, had brought Israel’s family to Egypt because of the famine that plagued the land. Time passed and a new king came into power that knew nothing of Joseph, and dealt harshly with the Israelite people who had sold themselves into slavery. Over time, the conditions, the oppression, and the misery was unbearable, and the people cried out to God to save them.
The Lord came to Moses at the burning bush in the desert and decreed:
“I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey –“ Exodus 3:7, 8
Moses went to Pharaoh to gain the Israelites freedom. The miracles were incredible. The favor shown to the Israelite people during the plagues on Egypt was unbelievable. Still Pharaoh did not let the Israelites go.
Thus the Lord struck down the firstborn of every household in Egypt. It was the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, “who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.”
With this, Pharaoh let the Israelites go.
But not for long. His hardened heart pursued the Israelites as they headed out of the desert. At the Red Sea, the Egyptians were gaining ground, even as God’s Mighty Hand parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass through on dry ground. The Israelites were terrified.
But the Lord said, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” Exodus 14:4
And Moses assured the people:
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13, 14
Guess what?
“Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.” Exodus 14:19, 20
The Lord fought for them.
The Lord brought them into that new land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Guess what the Israelites did?
They let the Lord fight for them.
The kept moving forward.
God was bringing them into a new land, and they steadfastly put one foot in front of the other.
I took this long route of recalling the story of the Israelites freedom to show you the power of our God.
He knows our hearts. He knows every heart’s misery. He hears us calling out to him for a change, a new direction, a healing, helping, comforting Hand to carry us through. And He has a plan to not only save us, but for us to know and glorify Him through the process.
You Need Only Be Still.
God will gain glory for Himself through your trial.
The Israelites didn’t fight.
They prayed. They cried out.
They didn’t arm themselves with one weapon to walk out of Egypt.
Yet they left with plunder because God made the Egyptians favorably disposed to them.
What is this land you are walking out of?
Is it a bad year? A disappointing experience? Poor health? A challenging relationship? Let downs, put downs, or even a broken heart?
The Lord hears your cries. He has already begun to bring you into a new land to make a Fresh Start. Satan is fighting for you. He's digging in, and he doesn't want to you to let go of anger, disappointment, sin, addictions, depression, and failures. While he will fight ever against you leaving the miserable land, God’s Mighty Hand will do everything necessary to seek and gain your release.
You Need Only Be Still.
If he sent His angels to lay down holy fire against the Egyptian army so that the Israelites could escape, dear sister, He will send his angels to hold back the enemy aiding your escape from Satan’s schemes, destruction, and vices.
Our God is a Mighty God.
You need only be still.
He will fight for you.
He will fight for me.
And He will bring us safely to a new land, a new beginning, a new peace, a new heart, because we are a new creation in Christ Jesus.
You Need Only…..Be Still.
