While reading Exodus this week, I read the familiar account of the Children of Israel leaving Egypt, pinned between the Red Sea and Pharoah chasing them, they griped, “Why did you bring us out here to die?” This is after the plagues, after the Passover, after being led directly through a cloud by day and pillar of by night, they still doubted…and God’s leader said…

Ex 14:13 But Moses told the people “Don’t be afraid, just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you, just stay calm. 

We are to be BRAVE, STILL, & WATCH. Easier said than done when you are backed up against the wall… and it just gets worse. Somehow, it is hard to see daylight in the chaos. Can you relate to the children of Israel? They are facing death on two sides.

• Living with the chronic diagnosis that just gets worse.
• Caring for a sick loved one…and the boss piles on criticism and insult.
• Trying to heal a broken relationship…met with conflict or worse, indifference.
• Just making it with the bills, then the unexpected crisis occurs and it is a real mess.

When we face real battles at home, work, with our friends, family and in the community things can and often go from bad to worse, we aren’t alone. Take Abraham for example,

Abraham worries he will never have an heir, God tells him, “Do not be afraid, Abram.” One of my favorite verses, He then tells Abram, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them…so shall your offspring be.’ And it was so. Gen 15:1, 5 

Even later, Jehoshaphat follows his father Asa, and Jehoshaphat faced to Moabites, he fasted, prayed and God responded.  In 20:15, this is what God said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”  In verse 29 it says, 29 The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard  how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace for his God had given him rest on every side.

The idea is prevalent through scripture. There will be battles, there will be big ones and little ones…and there will be whoppers that make us freeze in our tracks.  It is when you face one of those times, that the Lord asks you, like he did his beloved Children of Israel, to stop and be brave, be still and watch what He will do.

Being still is hard for all of us. We want to do something. We fuss, we fidget, we distract, we go, anything but sit and think on things. The world is full of too much chaos, the news, well, it’s just too much most days.  God had got this. We have no clue how He will do it, but He will. The question is how do we get still and watch? We look up.  

We look out. Turn off the technology, what do you see?  Wait for it, wait to see what God will do. We don’t know how long we wait, yet we watch. He will provide for us. Think Red Sea amazed, it is His battle and He will do it. He saved the Children of Israel, he destroyed their enemies, He did it all. 

The battle you are facing is His battle and not your own. Let him do it.  The final verse in the Exodus saga before God parts the Red Sea. He says to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

There is a time to 

• Be Still
• Wait
• Watch
• Cry Out to the Lord

Look up and get moving. God might reward you like Jehoshaphat, rest on all sides.

Casey Salminen

Founder, Blessed Inspired

___________________________________________________________________________________

The One Year Bible, New Living Translation, Tyndale House, Pg 117 Ex 14:13-15.

Concordia Self Study Bible (Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.  Gen 15:1 pg 28; 2 Chron20:17.

Hallman, Lisa   www.pixabay.com,  Pixabay trees 2217078_640, lisahallman - Pixabay