Trust God, Be Still

THEME: EXODUS FROM EGYPT

TOPIC: PASSOVER AND EXODUS

BIBLE CHAPTER: EXODUS 14

💡REFLECTION:

The Lord continued His instruction, demonstrating that He never abandons the Israelites. God told them to go back; this was just another one of His schemes to use His people to prove His power.

God is aware of the Pharaoh's plans to revenge, and God is also aware of his bad intent. God's people will not suffer any damage at the hands of the Pharaoh. We all witness God's power being revealed in this chapter.

“But I will gain glory for myself.” The Lord is supremely strong. He is able to accomplish everything in order to gain our confidence and trust. God uses everything that happens in our lives—both the good and the bad—to show us why He is worthy of all praise. It's how He awakens our minds and draws us nearer to Himself.

Exodus 14:11-12— When the Israelites noticed the Egyptians were getting closer, they became enraged with Moses. When difficulties arise, it is human nature that we often point the finger at our leaders. In their plea, the Israelites contended that it would be preferable to become Egyptian slaves than to perish in the wilderness. Because they thought that their only chance of safety in Egypt was if they submitted to the Egyptian pharaoh. But their freedom was what God desired.

God's plan is sometimes so difficult for us to comprehend, particularly when we are enduring trials and tribulations along the road. We are not interested in going through a process; we want a better place. We become scared and helpless during the process, but we can also acquire obedience and fortitude from it. Trusting God's method is easier said than done, yet since He created us, we should.

I adore this verse, Exodus 14:14. That the Lord will fight for us and that all we need to do is ‘be still’ gives us such comfort. Nonetheless, we frequently keep asking God- "How? How is He going to defend us? When will He come to our aid? How long should we remain steady? Our faith is shaken when we have to wait. Although it is true that not everyone has patience or is open to the Lord's miracle and deliverance, I still recall the adage that "patience is a virtue." Because in order for us to survive, patience is actually necessary.

This phrase appears in the song Better Days:

She said, "All the things you ask, you will know someday.

But you have got to live in a patient way.

God put us here by fate

And by fate, that means better days."

The only one who knows what is ahead in our lives is God. Although waiting and exercising patience can be difficult, God keeps His word. He is guiding us to more promising times.

“Why are you crying out to me?” Sometimes we already know what to do, but our fear prevents us from doing action. I simply cannot fathom how God could have told Moses this. Was He upset? Despite His undefined emotion, God still provided Moses precise instructions. I am like Moses these days. Despite knowing what to do, I can't stop crying out to God. Simply put, obeying God is pretty difficult, isn't it?

God moves in mysterious ways. Who would have imagined that the ocean could be divided and that individuals could traverse dry land between high water walls on both their left and right? Only when we firmly believe in and trust in God may He do amazing and incredible feats. Although I am aware that the sea will never split again, God has nonetheless performed similar miracles in our lives in other ways.

We all survive, in different times, places, and stories, but it is God who truly delivered us from our adversities. It may not be as spectacular as what He did in Exodus 14:21, but I'm sure that when we reflect back on all of the difficulties we have faced, we think to ourselves, "I can't believe I surpass those tough and dreadful days." God is more than just our creator; He is the author of our existence, our savior, and the only source of guidance.

“Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” The Lord is defending the Israelites against Egypt, which is more proof that God is keeping us safe from unpleasant experiences. God is aware of our capacities, and He understands that turning away from negative situations does not always indicate that we are trying to escape conflict; rather, He is aware of our ability to prevail in the conflict. This verse describes how the Lord permitted the Israelites to escape the Egyptians, because He was aware of the Egyptians' superior strength. Not because the Israelites’ lack strength, but God was aware that they lacked the necessary weapons to contend with the Egyptians. Consequently, He misled and perplexed the Egyptians instead. The Egyptians eventually gave up and realized that God was battling for them and that, since God was stronger than they were, they could no longer pursue them.

“That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians… And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him…” God's purpose to bring glory to Himself was successful when He delivered Israel from the hands of the Egyptians on that day. The Israelites came to understand God's omnipotence. I could have also had a change of heart if I had been among them. I recall that when they were enraged with Moses, they declared that they would prefer to be Egyptian slaves than perish in the desert. But God spared them from being slaves to the Egyptians for the rest of their life, and he spared them even from dying in the desert. Both death and servitude were avoided by them thanks to God.

How, Lord—after reading Exodus 14—can I not trust You? It is beyond words, Lord. For the times I defied You, I apologize. I'm sorry I ever questioned Your strength and capability. I apologize for the times that I neglected to put my confidence and trust in You and tried to handle my difficulties on my own. I'm grateful that You reminded me that all I have to do is follow your directions while being still. Please, take away all of my anxieties.

Say "Why are you crying out to me?" louder every time you speak to me to serve as a reminder to obey Your commands and to increase my faith in Your miracles. I humbly pray that You save me and keep me safe from things that aren't beneficial for me, just as You did for the Israelites. Let Your light shine through my eyes, ears, and heart. Lastly, Lord, please speak this to me the loudest at all times: 

"Do not be afraid, stand firm, and be still."