That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. And they were all traveling on foot. Many people who were not Israelites went with them, along with many flocks and herds. Exodus 12:37-38
The Exodus.
God had rescued His people from Egypt.
God's power and sovereignty had even turned others to join them.
This story became a foundation of their faith, and God was not finished yet.
The Lord guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. That way they could travel whether is was day or night.
And God did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from their sight. Exodus 13:21-22
After experiencing such great power and rescue, they could literally see His presence and guidance during their journey.
God tells Moses about His plans. He tells Moses that they will be pursued again by Pharaoh.
"I have planned this so I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and His armies. After this, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." So the Israelites camped there as they were told. Exodus 14:4
600,000+ people were camped at a very strange dead end.
Then - "As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the Lord for help. Then they turned against Moses and complained. Exodus 14:10-11a
They could see the presence of God. They cried out to Him, but fear took control and they lashed out at Moses.
But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14
Strong words.
Sounds like Moses was full of faith, like He was trusting what God had told him.
You have probably seen verse 14 quoted as an encouragement, as a faith booster,
BUT -
Don't stop at verse 14!
Verse 15 -
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!. . ."
Moving?
Dead end + moving?
I thought Moses said stand still?
Yes, the Lord is going to fight for them, but their faith would initiate His plan,
and faith requires action.
Continue with verses 16 -18
"Use your shepherd's staff - hold it out over the water, and a path will open up before you through the sea. Then all of the people of Israel will walk through on dry ground. Yet I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will follow the Israelites into the sea. Then I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies, chariots, and charioteers. When I am finished with Pharaoh and his army, all Egypt will know that I am the Lord!"
God told Moses His plan.
(That's pretty awesome, because we don't always know the plan.)
But Moses had to mobilize 600,000+ people to start the plan.
God would respond to their faith.
Verse 19
Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to a position behind them, and the pillar of cloud also moved around behind them.
God shifted His guiding cloud to the rear.
He told them to move forward and basically said, "I've got your back".
They were shielded, but it was time for faith.
God is looking for our faith.
We want Him to move and work around us.
We want to know His plan and see His plan in action,
but sometimes God is waiting for our steps.
Stop camping and complaining.
Don't just stand there.
Move toward the word He has given you.
Mobilize the others around you.
Sometimes those steps are prayers.
Pray specifically into situations.
Pray the Word of God over people and circumstances.
Worry is camping and complaining.
Prayer is action.
Sometimes those steps are changes.
Walk away from one thing to a new thing-
at the Lord's leading.
Sometimes those steps are sacrifices.
Give money, time, resources for others.
Sometimes those steps are bold actions.
Actions of all kinds, because God has unique visions for each of us.
Position yourself to hear what the steps are:
Read scripture.
Pray with listening.
Follow His guiding "pillar" (obedience).
There are days where you will simply walk behind the pillar,
but when the pillar moves to your rear guard -
Don't just stand there.
~The world might give you dead ends and quarantines,
but that should never stop your faith.
We are not just waiting for this season to pass.
The Church should be mobilized now more than ever. ~
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
John 11:40
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Romans 1:17
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
James 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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