Edge of the Sea

Lately I've been reading through Exodus with a deeper appreciation. This morning I was in Chapter 14 where the Israelites have the sea before them and the Egyptian army in pursuit behind them. Earlier in the chapter God tells Moses Pharaoh will pursue them and God will be glorified in this. Yet, when the moment comes there is still such grumbling and fear by God's people. 

There is often a big chasm between what we know in our heads and how our hearts respond. Agree? 

Fear overtakes them and Moses responds, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." 

Sometimes God takes us to the "edge of the sea". We may know very well he led us there. We may also know he has brought honor to his name in the getting there and will continue to do so. BUT, he's not done, Sister! 

Yet, when we encounter roadblocks, feel the mist from the crashing waves of our sea, hear the rumble of 600 chariots in opposition, or feel hemmed in fear paralyzes us too. It blinds us to his past blessings of deliverance, his present gracious guidance, and his future possibilities of mighty display. 

He whispers-for our sake and his honor- "do not be afraid". Where he leads he will not abandon. Be still my heart. Be still my fears. God will fight for us. 

But we can't neglect his next command. "Move on." WHAT?!?! (insert head tilt, voice raising an octave or two) "Need I remind you, Lord, there is an impassable body of water before me and a bunch of angry Egyptians behind me?" 

Our limited perspective only sees problems. His perspective is full of possibilities. 

So "be still" doesn't mean throw in the towel, perch my caboose on a rock, and watch God smash those Egyptians to smithereens while feeling the breeze of the sea on my face and posting a selfie captioned "God's got this". Sometimes he means for us to "move on" and take that next step into the sea. Because it's in and through the sea he will deliver us once again. It's in the sea, surrounded by walls of roaring waters our hearts learn to trust and celebrate him for who he is. It's in the sea where we are given view of his mighty arms holding back the waves, his merciful hands clearing a path, and HIS NAME is glorified. 

By his people.

And even by his enemies. 

Let's not be afraid to "move on" and take a step into the sea he led us to. He WILL fight for you.

Be still my heart. 

Be still my fears. 

And know HE is GOD!