The Israelites have left Egypt. Pharaoh has changed his mind and is pursuing with his army. The Israelites are terrified. (It's one thing to take the slave out of slavery and another to take slavery out of the slave!)
When panic sets in, it brings some of its buddies:
- Blame: "It's your fault Moses!"
- Assume the worst: "It's better to be slaves than to die"
- Fight or Flight
Before the Israelites can get to fight or flight (although some may say that they are already fighting with Moses!) we hear Moses bringing a strong and comforting word:
- Do not be afraid!
- Stand firm!
- God is busy doing something big!
- Be STILL!
Moses is not panicked - he's not blaming, assuming or locked into fight/flight. He is still, open and receptive.
And wonders follow!
The sea parts
The Israelites pass through
The Egyptians are foolish enough to follow.
We are prone to panic. Being still allows even an unbeliever to make a better decision. But for the believer, being still really means "Be still and know that He is God." We affirm that we are not god, our circumstances are not god, our problems are not god, our enemies are not god, but our God is the God of the parted sea, the cross of forgiveness and the empty tomb!
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
