Text: Exod. 14: 13-14
“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace”
Just after they escaped from Egypt, Moses encouraged the Israelites with the words of our text. Perhaps he understood that our natural reaction in moments of uncertainty is to restlessly bounce between anxiety and despair.
The Israelites were in a state of fear and panic stricken here they were confronted by the Rea Sea not knowing how they would be able to cross it over to the other side. Going back was not option because they had the Egyptians to contend with, if they did and so they were stranded. Also if they remained there and did nothing the Egyptians will eventually catch up with them and definitely feast on them, their situation was indeed very bad. In the midst of their trouble Moses came to them with these words of comfort, encouragement and assurance. It was short and straight to the point, they were not to be afraid, instead they were to be still and watch as God’s rescue agenda unfolds before their very eyes. They were not even going to have to fight in this battle, God will do the fighting, and theirs is to hold their peace.
Now in a situation of great fear and panic similar to the situation the Israelites found themselves, standing still, holding your peace or staying calm is the last thing you want to do. The usual thing is that people who find themselves in such situation will be restless and will want to run around to see what they can do for themselves, but that is the worldly approach, it is not the godly approach and the problem with the worldly approach is that it is not a faith based approach and anything that is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14: 23). Secondly, as long as you have ideas of your own and continue to run around trying to see what you can do for yourself, God will leave you to it and allow you to exhaust your options. If you are able to rescue yourself out of the situation, then you don’t need God, if you know what to do, that will bring you out of the situation then you don’t need God. But when you lift up your hands to God in surrender, telling Him that you don’t know what to do, just like Jehoshaphat did (2 Chro. 20: 12), then you are ready for God’s intervention
It is not God’s design or intention for the child of God to face the battles of life on his own, God is ever prepared to fight the battles of life on behalf of His children but first they will have to invite Him into their battles and secondly they will have to let go and let God. Meaning that they must release themselves fully to God and allow Him take full control. That is the reason why Moses admonished the people to stand still and remain calm in other to see God fight for them and this admonishment remains true for us today.
People say heaven helps those who help themselves, if you can help yourself then why do you need the help of heaven. The reverse actually is the truth which is that heaven helps those who cannot help themselves. Do you want to see God to take over your battles? Then hand over your battles to Him and learn to be still and to be calm as you eagerly wait for His salvation, He will not put you to shame. Shalom.
Prayer Points
1. Thank you Father for your willingness to fight my battles for me, thank you for the victories you have given to me in the past.
2. Lord I worship you because no situation overwhelms you, but in all situation you know what to do to bring me out victorious.
3. O Lord help me to trust you fully, teach me to rest and remain calm in you even in the face of the battles of life in Jesus name.
4. Lord I surrender I give my ideas and repent of every worldly approach that I have been adopting to fight my battles in the past and I surrender fully to you now in Jesus name.
5. Lord I invite you into my battles now, please arise and fight for me in Jesus name
This is good message