Exodus 14: 3 Pharaoh will think, “The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.”

You are caught in a situation from which there seems to be no way out. Now what? Your only source of help is the Lord – the One who is never caught by surprise.

After the death angel had passed through Egypt killing all their firstborn, Pharaoh finally gave Moses permission to leave and take the Israelites and all their possessions with them.  However, as soon as they left, Pharaoh had a change of heart and decided to pursue them because he realized that their labor would be a great loss to Egypt’s economy. (See Exodus 14:5)

The Lord had given very specific instructions to Moses as to the route they should travel and they were to encamp by the sea directly opposite Baal Zephon. This move was meant to confuse their enemy. “You mean The Lord will do that?” Yes, he will. The Israelites were terrified when they realized that they were being pursued by Pharaoh’s army. They truly felt they were trapped and called out to the Lord. Pretty much in the same breath though, they turned on Moses, blaming and complaining. They even reminisced about how great their lives would be if they had remained as slaves in Egypt. Seriously! Distress has a way of taking the mind to strange places.

Moses is such a special man to me, because he always seemed to have his heart and ear so tuned in to heaven that he could keep calm in the midst of great chaos and speak peace. “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). This goes against common sense, doesn’t it? The normal response to distress would be to run, scream, holler, tear your hair out.

Look what happened next. In verses 15 and 16 Moses got his instructions: The Lord said “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 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.” Child of God, if you don’t take the time to stand still, you cannot hear your instructions for what your next step should be. And note in verses 17 and 18, the Lord’s purpose in this situation was to bring glory to his name.

“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, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. (Exodus 14: 19 -20) Imagine that! All this time you thought you were alone but God has had you covered and surrounded! Go ahead and praise him, even if you are not yet on the victory side of your situation.