Exodus 14 Devotional

Saved While Standing Still

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.””Exodus 14:14 (BSB)

Israel is trapped, with the sea in front and Pharaoh's chariots behind. The people are terrified, and they turn on Moses, accusing him of bringing them out to die in the wilderness (14:10-12). Moses tells them not to be afraid but to stand firm and watch the salvation the LORD will accomplish for them (14:13-14).

What follows is entirely God's doing. The pillar of cloud moves behind Israel to stand between the two camps (14:19-20). An east wind drives back the sea, and Israel walks through on dry ground with walls of water on either side (14:21-22). When the Egyptians follow, the LORD throws them into confusion, and the returning waters cover the whole army; not one survives (14:24-28). Israel contributes nothing to the rescue except stepping forward when God says go (14:15), and even their faith comes after they see what he has done (14:31). When you feel boxed in, your hope is not in finding a way out but in the God who makes one.

To think about: Where do you feel boxed in right now, and what would it look like to trust God to make the way?