Today’s Reading: Exodus 13:17–14:31; Psalm 77

God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. – Exodus 13:18a

When Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go, God did not lead them along the main road. He did not take them down the shortest path to their destination. He took them in a roundabout way. The Lord went ahead of them, guiding them during the day with a pillar of cloud and at night with a pillar of fire. At one point He even told them to doubleback and camp along the shore, and they obeyed.

GOD MADE HIS PRESENCE KNOWN AND THEY TRUSTED HIM.

Then God revealed to Moses what was about to happen. He prepared Moses for a moment in leadership that was going to be tough. He was going to harden Pharaoh’s heart once again and an Egyptian army would soon be in pursuit of them.

“I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharoah and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” – Exodus 14:4

When the people looked up and saw the massive army approaching, they panicked and asked God — Why? Why did you lead us here? Our old life of slavery would have been better than this.

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” – Exodus 14:13-14

Perhaps you feel like you have been going in circles and you cannot figure out why God has led you down this path. Perhaps you are panicked and asking God WHY. Let those words wash over you with confidence, knowing God is with you. He is fighting for you. Just stay calm.

JUST STAND STILL AND WATCH THE LORD RESCUE YOU TODAY.

God gave Moses very specific instructions and Moses obeyed. He did what God asked of him and God did what He said He would do. Moses got the people on their feet, moved them towards the Red Sea, lifted his staff and held it over the water.

I found myself pretty emotional as I read through this familiar passage, as if I had never fully comprehended what God did. My focus has always been on the moment when God pulled back the waters and provided dry land for His people to walk across to the other side. But picture with me what happened before this moment. Consider with me the time in between.

The pillar of cloud that had been leading them this whole time moved from the front and formed a wall behind them. The clouds settled between God’s people and their enemies. As night fell, the cloud changed to fire, casting its light upon the situation. The enemy stood still while God sent a strong east wind to blow across the sea bed, creating a dry path for His children to walk across. The people stood still and watched as God fought their battle. What a beautiful sight!

IT DIDN’T HAPPEN IN AN INSTANT BUT IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.

Tell me again why we don’t trust God? Why do we doubt a God who can do ANYTHING? When the Red Sea is in front of you and the Egyptian army is behind you, you can trust God to form a wall of protection between you and the danger pressing in. You can trust Him to part the waters and provide dry land, as He unleashes His mighty power. Stand in awe of the God who can do ANYTHING.

When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses. – Exodus 14:31

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him — my father’s God, and I will exalt him! The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name! – Exodus 15:2-3

We thank you, Jehovah, for being a God who rescues your people. We pray that you will make your presence known to us and replace our panic with confidence — replace our fear with faith. With unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. You have purchased our salvation and we trust you to guide us down your perfect path, even when it feels like a roundabout way to get where we want to be. Thank you for the pillar of protection between us and our enemies, and thank you for the wind of provision that prepares the path ahead for us to walk on. We love you, Yahweh. Amen.

O God, your ways are holy.
Is there any god as mighty as you?
You are the God of great wonders!
You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
When the Red Sea saw you, O God,
its waters looked and trembled!
The sea quaked to its very depths.
The clouds poured down rain;
the thunder rumbled in the sky.
Your arrows of lightning flashed.
Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world!
The earth trembled and shook.
Your road led through the sea,
your pathway through the mighty waters—
a pathway no one knew was there!
You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep,
with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds. – Psalm 77:13-20