Looking For The Easy Way Out

Exodus 14:10-14 (NIVUK) —

‘As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

I’m going to be honest with you, I am quite easily scared, especially of things jumping out at me. You know, those ghost trains you usually find at fairgrounds, the ones that are so bad they're funny? They are my worst nightmare! I usually avoid going on them and offer to hold the bags. However, I’m sure any of us would be terrified if we found ourselves in the same position as the Israelites in today’s passage.

Feeling scared, with the Egyptians marching towards them, they begin to question God’s authority over the situation, believing they would have been better off remaining as slaves rather than following Moses and risking the possibility of death. What they didn’t know was that, earlier in their journey, God told Moses his plan to make the Israelites appear confused so that they would be followed into the desert. The Israelites were unaware that God was using them to lead the Egyptians towards the Red Sea, as he knew for them to be freed for good, the Egyptians would have to die.

Knowing this, Moses tells them ‘The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still’ and true to his word, God leads them across the Red Sea followed by the Egyptians. He then confuses the enemy, leaving them stranded in the middle of the sea as the Israelites flee to safety.

God’s plan for our lives can feel intimidating and we might choose to avoid things because it feels easier and safer, but when we do this, we’re at risk of missing out on the opportunities that God has planned for us. He trusts us to outwork his vision for the kingdom of God, and he will protect us - we just need to remain faithful.

Prayer - Lord, remind us today of the ways you have been faithful to us so that we can confidently step into the call you have placed on our lives without hesitation.