“Do not be afraid, stand firm… keep still”
Ex. 14:13-14
The Israelites have left Egypt. As they came near the Red Sea, it seemed as if Moses made the wrong turn somewhere and led the Israelites into a valley into the Sea, with the Sea in front of them and mountains on both sides. This was also what Pharaoh thought. He said, “They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has closed in on them” (Ex. 14:3) and pursued them.
The Israelites, on the other hand, were frightened, and as they “looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD” (Ex. 14:10). They also murmured to Moses.
Then, Moses spoke, “Do not be afraid, stand firm and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still” (Ex. 14:13-14).
The LORD fought for the Israelites, and “none of them remained” (Ex 14:28).
Sometimes we could not see much beyond, as if we are facing the Red Sea. As we look back, we see our struggles during the period. Our enemy tempts us and creates troubles for us every day too. What do we do now? Isn’t this place a wilderness? Are we lost? Have we been led to this place by mistake?
When Moses called upon the LORD, the LORD replied, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward” (Ex. 14:15). Go forward where?
There is no place the LORD does not know. There is nothing the LORD is not aware of. He knows what happens to us; he knows where we are. He has led us thus far; He will lead us on. Anyway, what can we do if we do not stand still and trust in the LORD? Build a bridge over it all when Pharaoh’s army is closing in on us? When there are no possible avenues of escape, the LORD wants us to trust in Him completely.
Let us therefore, trust in Him, calling upon His name and confessing our sins to Him, praying fervently.
The LORD will fight for us, and if He thinks is right, He will part the Seas and lead us on. He is asking us to go forward, never slacking in our works for Him.
