When there seems to be no way out.

I am thinking a lot today about Moses. He’s my favorite character in the Bible (aside from Jesus of course!). I’m thinking about that profound and famous moment when Moses and the Israelites are at the edge of the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army is bearing down on them from behind. They have no place to go. Their hopes were high, they thought the Lord had delivered them but now, in a moment everything has changed, and it all seemed to be a cruel trick. Now they will either be killed where they stand or returned to slavery and if that’s the case there will be consequences for their move to freedom certainly. 

As panic and despair set in Moses speaks up, he gets the crowds attention and says this in Exodus 14:13-14, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Powerful words that certainly sounded crazy to some, in the moment. But you know what happened next. 

Do you feel like the Israelites today? Like you can’t move, you’re stuck and the walls are closing in? Perhaps you are dealing with fear, financial struggles, career struggles, family struggles, depression, sin – maybe all at once. Perhaps, these words Moses spoke centuries ago are ringing through time and the pages of scripture to you this morning because it is exactly what God wants you to hear!

Moses give the Israelites 3 pieces of instruction:
1.     Stand firm. What does he mean? He means stand firm in your faith in God – trusting God. Knowing that, no matter what happens, He is God, He is righteous, He is in control and He is for you. So, in your overwhelmed moment, choose to put your faith, trust, everything in God.
2.     Let the Lord do the fighting. This certainly doesn’t mean you do nothing. If you know there are things you ought to do then you do them, because it is what the Lord would have you do – that is one way you allow Him to fight through you – obedience. But also, today remember this the Lord has fought for youand the battle has already been won. The promise of the Gospel is not that God will fight your battles, it is that He already has, He has already overcome the world on the cross and from the grave. Please understand that there is nothing more you need than the Gospel. 
3.     Be silent. I saw an episode of Andy Griffith the other day where Andy was talking to Aunt Bee and Emma at the drug store when Andy got a call there and had to go. He told the ladies that Barnie had hurt his hand cleaning his gun and Andy had to go help him. Well Aunt Bee and Emma started calling all of their girlfriends and telling them what had happened. Each time the story is told it changes a little. It went from a small wound on his hand to his arm being blown off, to him accidentally shooting himself in the chest. Finally, the mortician actually shows up at the courthouse to offer his services only to be shocked to see Barney there, alive and well. We inflate things, instead of playing the what if game right now, the best thing to do is be silent – don’t fret, don’t imagine the worst, don’t worry – be still and know that He is God. 


Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He has worked for you on the cross and in the empty tomb. The Lord has fought for you, and you have only to be silent.

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