Sometimes I feel like…

Sometimes I feel like Eve, believing the lies of the enemy when I know the truth.

Sometimes I feel like Job, feeling alone and without any security in the World.

Sometimes I feel like Nicodemus, too afraid to surrender everything to follow Jesus.

Sometimes I feel like Mary, wondering how in the world I can do what God is asking of me.

Sometimes I feel like the disciples, often doubting, comparing, and deserting the One who created me.

Sometimes I feel like Isaiah, asking God to send me and use me however He wants.

And other times, I feel like Moses and the Israelites, trying to persevere through each day waiting for God to deliver on His promises.

Do any of those feelings resonate with you? The really cool thing about the Bible is that it is filled with people who went through all the emotions we experience today. The people above and the stories they lived are not feel-good fables. They are real examples that cheer us on when life feels like we’re on a treadmill – moving forward but not making any noticeable progress.

In Exodus 14, the Israelites are on their way out of Egypt after years and years of slavery. Just when they thought they were home free, Pharaoh (the guy responsible for their captivity) changed his mind and gathered an army to pursue his former slaves. As you can imagine, when the Israelites saw their captor chasing them again, fear and terror filled their minds with doubt towards Moses’ leadership and God’s provision.

“Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness!”

(14:11-12 NASB)

Relatable, isn’t it? I can’t count the times I’ve questioned God when life doesn’t go exactly how I planned or pictured it. I know if I was in the Israelite’s shoes, I would’ve had the exact same response!

BUT, what Moses says next changes everything for the people under his care, and it has the power to change everything for us, too.

“But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. The Lord will fight for you, while you keep silent.”

(14:13-14)

Don’t fear. Stand by. Keep silent.

I admit, I’m not perfect at any of those things. But I don’t need to be, and neither do you. Because God’s salvation performs on our behalf. His love fights for us when we have no ounce of strength to take the first step.

When Moses tells them to stand by and keep silent, He is essentially telling the Israelites to remain still and be quiet while God does His work. This same idea shines through in Psalm 46:10-11:

“Stop striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”
The Lord of armies is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.”

The God of angel armies is on our side. Let that sink in. Now, believe it can change the whole trajectory of your life, because it can. That truth accomplished an impossible rescue for the Israelites, and when we surrender our shattered circumstances to the God of Jacob, the enemy’s plan to chase us down and capture us will fail.

“Then Moses reached out with his hand over the sea; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right and on their left.”

(14:22)

The God who fights for us parted a whole sea to allow His own to experience long-awaited answers to prayer. God strategically hardened Pharaoh’s heart so the fear of His children would flee at the sight of His salvation! And in the end, the same waves used for their salvation buried their enemies (14:27-28).

Sometimes, what doesn’t make sense in the moment is necessary for God to reveal His good plan He was working all along.

So it was for Eve, Job, Nicodemus, Mary, the Disciples, Isaiah, Moses, and so many more in the scriptures.

And so it is for us today.

His truth is louder than the enemy’s lies.

Loneliness and insecurity hide at the sound of His identity over us.

What we’re resistant to give Him is nothing compared to following Him.

He does through us what we can’t possibly do on our own.

No matter how many times we leave Him, He always stays.

When we give him our best “yes” every day, He WILL use us.

And when His promises seem like empty words, just wait. He may just part the sea in front of you at the exact right time.

What battles are you fighting that you need to surrender to God’s trustworthy hand?

Instead of questioning why His answers seem delayed or feeling like He doesn’t care or see our pain, we can stand by, be still, cease striving, stop fighting in our own strength, and wait, watch and see His work come to life in our lives.

It may not happen today or even tomorrow, but when that day does come, the waiting sown in tears will be worth it.

Because He is worthy.

-Dee