Exodus: Fear Not And Stand Still

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, January 22, 2016
Chapters: Exodus 13-15
Message: Exodus: Fear Not And Stand Still

Hello My Friend,

I love to watch the sunset, there is something so amazing about looking up into the sky and seeing all those amazing colors as the night comes in. Those beautiful amber colors are a reminder that we have a great and wonderful God who wants to take care of us at all times, when things get dark, He is our light, our beautiful light that makes even the darkest nights look bright. There are all sorts of man made lights, but none of them shine so bright and give us more hope than those that emit from our Saviour and God, Jesus Christ “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” - 2 Corinthians 4:6,7.

God loves to show His power, not only His people, but the world as well. Through His power, He brings hope to those who are ready to give up. Through His power, He brings conviction to those who ought to know better. Through His power, He brings rebellion to those who refuse to submit to it. The Israelites were free, and for the first time in over four hundred and thirty years they headed for the land promised to them, six hundred thousand men, plus women, and children started their journey, they had no idea how they would get there, but they had the best guide ever, God.

“And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” - Exodus 13:17-22.

“Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war,” God could have led them on a path that was straight forward, instead He chose one that was a little more difficult. Why? He knew they would retreat back to Egypt if they found difficulties, and He wanted to prove their faith. Following the Light often brings us down a difficult path because He knows we will retreat back to our comfort zone. He is going to put us in a position to where we can only go forward by faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:1-3,6.

The test of faith often comes when we see those beautiful lights ahead, but the darkness is following right behind us. Do we go forward by faith, trusting God, or do we move backward and let the darkness overtake us? God was not done with the Egyptians, He had one more thing to show them as well as the Israelites.

“And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. 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. 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 14:8-14.

“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,” We cannot move forward and see salvation from whatever it is that we are going through until we see God ahead, and we cannot move backward because we certainly do not want to go back the way we came. Our only option is to stand still and let God take care of things. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” - Philippians 3:13-15.

One thing about Christians is they can quickly forget the amazing things that God has done for them when faced with another challenge. When you think about it, are they really God's people, or just pretending to be because they see the power of God working? As soon as the Israelites saw all the Egyptian guards die in the Red Sea, they rejoiced and even danced in honor of Him, no sooner than faced with another challenge they begin to complain.

“So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” - Exodus 15:22-26.

“and there he proved them,” You know, God knows who are His, and while we all have a little bit of ungrateful in us, not everyone who praises God is actually a believer. Jesus warns us about people who appear to know Him, as those who are just around to reap the benefits of His miracles. “Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?” - Matthew 16:8-11.

God does not want to always challenge us, but the truth is, unless we face some challenges we tend to forget that He is right there above us, watching over us, and guiding us with His light. It is time that we stop and think about what God has given us, the miraculous things that He has done for us, not only through our challenges, but when things are going well too. WE NEED NOT FEAR, STAND STILL AND LET GOD GUIDE US. “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” - Job 23:8-10. Praise God!

Today's Prayer: God, We do not have to fear the present nor the future when we place our complete confidence in You and recognize that Your plans prevail. Daily we make our plans but we know that You have the final say in where we should go.  Help us to find comfort in You for the circumstances of life that challenge us, knowing all the while, You will guide us with You light to all we need and spiritual support that leads us to victory in every challenge that You give us, I will not fear, I will stand still and let You guide me to victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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