Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
I thought I'd start this site with my favorite scripture that is probably one of the most misread scriptures around.
In times of need God wants you to know that he always fights for you and that you "be still". Being still, or as it's seen in other Bible versions like NLT, "Be Quiet". I've heard a few people take that as you don't have to do anything. In this context, the Egyptians are hot on the trail of Moses and his people. They are chased into an area that is getting more narrow the further they go until they are between the sea and rocks. At this point the pharaoh and his army are determined to destroy them all. Upon seeing the army approaching the Israelites asked Moses why he brought them there to die when they could be living in Egypt as slaves but still alive instead of leading them into the desert to die.
13 Moses answered 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. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”
19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 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 and in Moses his servant.
In this scripture, the Israelites had faith in God's word, followed Moses' leadership, and were spared from the army. In this case being still was having the faith in the Lord to follow His word. If you look at a map of modern day Red Sea, scholars have still not found the exact crossing site. The most acceptable theory about the route seems to anywhere from three to ten miles for that crossing. What a sight that must have been.
Things to ponder for today:
- When you are led by Him, do you listen and follow?
- Are you content with your old life, looking back at the problems of the past?
- Are you still a slave to your past?
A final verse to help you through your walk...
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.