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An inspiring lesson in faith and the miracle of salvation.
From a physical perspective they were closed in—trapped. In front of them was the sea. On the two sides were mountain ranges. Behind was an army rolling toward them. The massive but unarmed group of people trapped between all this feared the worst. Waves of fear and doubt rippled through the millions of people standing there. Mothers, fathers and children would be massacred. Survivors would be enslaved.
The physical circumstances provided no way of escape. The situation looked hopeless. Some cried out to God for deliverance. Others blamed the leadership.
This intense history occurred on the evening of the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. God shaped these special circumstances for ancient Israel so that He could teach us valuable lessons today: look beyond the physical circumstances in our lives, and to look to God.
God Alone Can Save
Like the Israelites leaving Egypt, the Days of Unleavened Bread represent us being delivered from destructive, unhappy sinful living. The Last Day of Unleavened Bread caps it off: It represents our complete deliverance from sin. Sometimes we ignore or forget that the great and Almighty God uses His divine power to act in our lives!
The world around us is getting worse and worse. We need someone to save us from this sinful world. We need a God of great and mighty miracles!
When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He didn’t take them along the most strategic route. In fact, He led them off the normally traveled road and into a place where they could be easily trapped—and they were!
But God did this for a reason, and for their own good.
Be Still, Believe
“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” This was the reaction of people who looked only at their circumstances and who did not trust the God that had just crushed Egypt with 10 mighty plagues.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:10-14).
The phrase “stand still” in verse 13 means to place or to permanently station, to be steadfast, unmovable, unshakable. Moses told these fearful people to trust God. To believe God more than they believed the physical sights and sounds bearing down on them.
No matter what we might be expecting, God must be more real to us!
Be Delivered
Israel was completely helpless against Pharaoh’s troops. It was impossible for them to escape or even survive. It is just as impossible for us to escape Satan and his sinful influences in the world and in our own lives. But with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). We are helpless. But what we can do is stand still and see our God do what we cannot!
It was impossible for Israel to escape. It was impossible for wind to begin blowing across the Red Sea, for the waters to move and divide and finally part altogether. It was impossible for millions of people to walk across the sea floor and up the other side. It was impossible for the Egyptian army to be completely destroyed by the waters returning to their strength. Yet that is exactly what happened. Not because of the physical circumstances, but because of God!
You may not think so sometimes, but God is shaping the circumstances around you. He wants you to learn to look to Him. Believe in the miraculous power of God! Trust God. Believe. Remain steadfast and put your complete trust in God. And expect the great miracles you need in your life!