Exodus: Trapped by the Sea

Trapped by the Sea in Front of Me and the Army Bearing Down Upon Me

I have read through the Bible a few times, and listen to the Daily Audio Bible as well. However, there is something about reading the words on those thin pages that speaks to me. I also love how God will speak to you through those words in your current circumstances. A few weeks ago I read through Exodus and one verse popped out to me. It has been gnawing at me and kept drawing me back to it each night as I entered into my words of wisdom time.  This was a verse I have passed over many times, but God needed me to hear it now. However, the verse did not just get into my prayer sketchbook, but it kept screaming in my head it needed to be shared. So, this verse is meant for some of you reading today. God is wanting you to hear it and to use it in whatever situation you are in.

The verse is  Exodus 14:13-14. But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!”

A little context to help with this verse- Pharoah has finally released the Israelites who have been enslaved for hundreds of years. So, Moses begins to lead them into the desert where we know they will spend the next forty years. However, when Moses led the people out of Egypt they did not take the easy road. They traveled the scenic route that was challenging and slower. You would think that they would have taken the fastest route possible so they could escape Pharaoh and his army who were in hot pursuit. However, this was another opportunity for God to show His people what deliverance means and is allowing them to struggle as they learn what it means to be free as they put their trust in God, not man or idols.

So let’s look at this verse again: But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!” Exodus 14:13-14.

Do you feel like you are trapped between a rock and a hard place or between the sea and an army bearing down on you? Are you fearful of the world around you, the chaos, and the feeling of impending doom that seems to be broadcast everywhere you look today? Are you feeling like you just do not have the strength or the ability to fight the constant battle that seems to be raging around you? Are you feeling exhausted and like you cannot do one more thing or you will break? Do you constantly wonder what it will take for you to finally be good enough?

Well, my friends if you were like me and answered yes to any of those questions this verse was meant for you to hear today.  So, let’s break this down and feel what it means to embrace scripture as part of your day. 

Don't be afraid- First, of all, I think the fact that this is written in scripture 365 times (one reminder for each day) highlights that God did not expect us not to feel fear but to help us see we are not alone in it. We can give the fear holding us back from a life of freedom to Him. We can seek His comfort in the wilderness, in the middle of battle, and to help us find peace even, or should I say especially, in the unknown. 

Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. This line says you are right where you are for a reason. You have been born and placed into this time, at this moment for His purpose which is good. God, is with you and above you. Jesus loves you and wants to rescue you, all you have to do is to open your heart to Him and ask Him into your life right where you are. He will rescue you even if that does not mean He removes you from the situation, the pain, or the battle, He is with you and he has already given his life for you. Jesus will help you to stand your ground, He will give you the strength to face the world, and he will rescue your heart - you just have to stand where you are and give it over to him.

 The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. I love this line because you can replace the word Egyptians with any other looming attacker, and know that as long as you have Jesus the battle has already been won. It does not mean we will never deal with the Egyptians / anxiety/debt/fear again, but it is saying that with Jesus you will have the strength to stand without it overtaking you. God has won and in that, we can have hope. 

The Lord himself will fight for you. - God himself, is already fighting for you. He is battling with you and for you. Jesus loves you or he would not have given his life fighting for you.  He wants you to know Him as Lord and to put your trust in Him. Jesus died for you and he wants to rescue you from this world of sin, death, and fear daily. 

You won't have to lift a finger in your defense! Sometimes I feel if I could have been kinder or worked harder I could have avoided the stress of the day.  Perhaps that is true in some sense, but when it comes to salvation we do not have to lift a finger. Jesus already paid the price, and He has lifted the weight of sin from our shoulders.  the world will tell you that you have to do this to be good, you have to volunteer here, work harder here, take on this next role there, or do this next thing to be righteous or whole. But this is a lie made up by the great deceiver who is also the author of the word “busy.” 

When I get busy the things I cut first are those that bring me joy, peace, and connect me to God.  I believe the word busy is a great tactic darkness uses to invade and is meant to separate us from Jesus. But this verse was encouraging for me to read no matter what we are facing, juggling, or going through I do not have to lift a finger, instead, I can just drop to my knees and lay it all at His feet. God is in control, and my salvation is secured not by my words or actions but by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.  

Jesus gave his life for all of us not because we deserve it but because He loves us. Pure and simple love that will be with us and for us when we find ourselves running for our lives in the wilderness, facing barriers the size of a sea, and dealing with the dark army of the world that is trying to slay our spirit.  But this battle has already been won. God is in control, and he wants you to know he fights for you all the time, so you do not have to. He will never give up on you and his love will part the sea, destroy the enemy, and love you through the journey that spans more than a lifetime, and your salvation is eternal life with Him because of the blood He has shed for you. 

So, today let’s remember that no matter how big the sea is in front of you or how big and scary the army is behind you - you do not have to be afraid. God is fighting for your soul, and the battle has already been won without you having lifted a finger.  Open your heart and mind to Jesus and let His spirit flood you with an overwhelming peace that no army can destroy and no sea can crush. 

Jesus, we thank you for the conversation you desire to have with us daily through your words of wisdom in the Word. We are so grateful that you gave your life for us, even if we do not deserve it we are grateful for it. We are blessed to be called yours and today we ask that you part the sea that is holding us back from time with you and to help us with whatever battles are bearing down upon us. Help us to see the scenic route as a blessing that allows us more time to learn who you are through the Holy Spirit that dwells within us as you fight the battles that have already been won. Give us the strength to rise above the challenges we are facing, and the hope to navigate the journey that lies ahead.  In your holy, and mighty, name Amen.