As I read Exodus 13-15, I saw myself in Israel. Ouch! The great Waymaker made a way and delivered Israel from centuries of cruel bondage. Israel witnessed the great plagues. They saw Pharaoh’s hardness melt into a puddle. They left with Egypt’s wealth in their pockets. They saw an ever-present miraculous cloud and pillar of fire. Yet amid God’s fantastic waymaking and miraculous acts, there was faithless drama!
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. (Exodus 14:10–12, KJV)
Ouch! That’s first-class drama, and I sometimes see myself in it! If we are honest, we all have a resident drama queen. We know how to panic when trouble shows up. We know how to think the worst of God, even though He has done nothing but make a way for us. We know how to fear. Oh yes, the resident drama queen is alive and well. What was Moses’ answer to all of this?
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:13–14, KJV)
Be still, stay calm, and watch the Waymaker! The Waymaker is not done — there’s a Red Sea to part, an army to drown, and a song of praise yet to sing! Take some deep breaths, don’t panic, and be still, stay calm. God is just getting started! May we see ourselves in the following verse…
And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:31, KJV)
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