September 16, 2018
RED SEA WISDOM
Part One
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14
Why is this instruction so incredibly difficult? If you are like me, we correct our children and our grands about their wiggles and their giggles, instructing them to ‘BE STILL’…but honestly, I find that being still with my body, my mind and my heart are seemingly impossible…I find myself getting so caught up in the events, the busyness, and the drama swirling around my life, that I ignore the instruction to just, Be still! Be still…Be still…Be still.
Recently, while studying the book of Exodus, and preparing for the fall semester of Bible Study at LHC, I found myself camping out in the events, in the midst of the struggles, the hardships, and the oppression the Israelites faced while in Egypt. Just when they experienced the first breaths of reprieve, of rescue…freedom from their enemies, Yahweh, their LORD instructed Moses to tell them to turn back…to retrace their steps and to camp beside the sea. And, in this place, their enemies-Pharaoh and his mighty army, overtook them. As the Israelites looked out and saw the dirt and dust of hundreds of chariots billowing in the air, the multitudes of soldiers, and horses advancing, certainly they were terribly aware of what was before them…and, without a doubt, they were keenly aware of the vastness of a body of water swirling behind them…I cannot imagine the terror, the fear and panic which arose in the multitude of the people seeking freedom, but now, facing utter destruction…
Red Sea Moments-Red Sea Seasons
Although our challenges may or may not be as dramatic and tangible as this historical event, each one of us, all of us, have experienced, and may currently be in the depth and panic of Red Sea Moments in our own lives…These moments often sneak up on us. It may be a health issue, for our self, our child, another loved one, or a friend. It may be the presence of loss of someone so dear to us, that we wonder if the sea of grief will drink up our very lives. It may be the disappointment and brokenness of a relationship, or a betrayal by someone we called friend, or the desperation we feel for a wayward child…
The Red Sea Moment may visit our hearts and minds and bring with it discouragement from a Red Sea Season when we see more enemies lurking than the number of those who stand with us. And, in that moment or season we feel totally alone…I have been there and I imagine you have too. And, I think that although the Israelites stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their people, their hearts and minds must have looked upon the vastness and the power of the enemy they were facing, becoming utterly aware of their own human weakness and condition…They were at the pinnacle of a Red Sea Moment, having left, what they must have considered to be their Red Sea Season in Egypt.
Red Sea Wisdom
We all experience pinnacle moments and today, Yahweh, our LORD is just as aware, attentive, intentional, cognizant, concerned, fervent, and tenacious toward the protection and provision for His children…Oh that’s right, our God Almighty never changes…never gives up, never gives in, never surrenders His Kingdom…and will never forsake or surrender you, His child. He never changes…ever.
My friends, when we face these daunting times, Red Sea Wisdom speaks to our hearts and into our minds…and is willing to inhabit our lives when we are still… Our stillness is not nothingness…Stillness before God is not inactive or unproductive…Rather, stillness is the vehicle of faith, of prayer, of trust activated when we are still…Stillness before God is our acknowledgement and agreement with Him that He alone is God…He will fight for you; He will fight for us!
He is the One who defends us from the enemy. He is the One who protects us from the storm. He is the One who deflects the hurtful words of gossip. He is the One who heals a wound of brokenness. He is the One who bandages our grief-filled hearts and holds us close to His. He is the One who is always with us. He is the One who walks us home, to Him.
The Israelites walked in difficulties, challenges, trials, and might have been tempted to take matters in their own hands, to break, to run from the Egyptians, perhaps I would have done so, but instead, they were still…still…still…
And, they saw and experienced the Presence, the Power, the Provision, and the Protection of their LORD-Yahweh. Yes, my friends, He asks us to be still…to allow Him to fight for us and to do things His Way…and, then and only then, we can rest in His peace and His calm, found in Stillness before Him.
Love you all in Jesus,
