Jan.22 - Exodus 14 - 16

The remarkable story of the exodus of Israel out of Egypt doesn't end with the 10 plagues! It goes on! In these next 3 exciting chapters, we'll continue to see God displaying His Almighty Power before the eyes of the world. And, notice how chapter 14 begins. It begins with a strategy that God shares intimately and only with Moses. God is explaining to Moses "why" He is placing them into a horrible military position. God gets them cornered - on purpose! In front of them is the Red Sea. On both sides are high mountain ranges. And, behind them is the charging Egyptian army! God sees this as a wonderful opportunity to prompt Pharaoh and his army into action. It works! And, the entire Egyptian army takes advantage of their vulnerability, and Pharaoh throws out everything in an attack to re-capture Israel.

From these 3 chapters come at least 7 powerful lessons for you and I:

1) Things aren't always as they seem! When God placed the Israelites in a vulnerable position at the edge of the Red Sea, He did it on purpose. He explains to Moses in 14:4 - "I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army." Whenever God works in our lives, He does things on purpose! We may feel very insecure, uncomfortable, challenged, or even frightened, but He does it with the purpose of DISPLAYING HIS GLORY! Many Christians, just like the Israelites, blame God for what is happening to them. As we learn in these 3 chapters, God does this for purposes of testing us and proving to us that He is all-powerful! Do you feel challenged or angry at God? Maybe He's wanting to show you Himself in a way you've never experienced Him before!

2) Panic and fear ALWAYS blind us to God's ability and power! In 14:10, we see the Israelites "panicked" as the entire Egyptian army approaches. Why would they do that? They had just seen God do several incredible miracles! They are also seeing God at work as they visibly follow a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In spite of the fact that they have seen these miracles and are able to actually and visibly see God move, they still begin to question God, and blame Moses! Just like the Israelites, most of us are resistant to new challenges and changes. We don't like being put into a position of testing. And, in spite of the fact that God has dynamically moved in our lives, we still question Him and blame him. Satan will use the tools of "fear" and "panic" to offset your confidence in God! And, he uses them well. What are you afraid of right now that God is incapable of solving? Are you asking God "Why?" concerning circumstances in your life? Ask the Lord to bind Satan from attacking you with fear, and ask Him to take away your fear. Reread these chapters and consider the fact that God maybe doing the same thing in your life or marriage as He's doing to the nation of Israel.

3) There are times to "stop praying" and "start going!" Did you see what God said to Moses in 14:15? He asks Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!" God had already told Moses His plan. But Moses, just like every human being, looks up and sees the powerful approaching Egyptian army and has a moment of panic! In spite of the fact of what God had just told him, Moses is momentarily gripped with fear by what he sees! God tells him to stop praying and get going! Do you know what reading the Bible every day does for me? It keeps my spiritual eyes off of circumstances and puts them firmly on God. That's why God's Word is so important to us! Perhaps God has told you something He wants you to do. What is it that keeps you from GOING? Get your eyes off of your circumstances. Stop using human reasoning, and consider what God is able to do and what He wants you to do...and get going!

4) God's ultimate desire is for YOU to be in "awe" of Him and to put your "faith" in Him! In 14:31, it explains the final result of the Red Sea disaster, "They were filled with awe before Him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses." What does God have to do in your life to bring you to place of being in "awe" of Him and where you have placed your complete "faith" in Him?

5) God uses circumstances to show us some aspect of Himself! In chapter 15, the song the Israelites sang before the Lord explains some very POWERFUL aspects they learned about God throughout this entire ordeal. Notice what they say (15:1-18)

- The Lord is my strength! vs.2

- The Lord is my song! vs.2

- The Lord is my God! vs.2

- The Lord is a warrior! vs.3

- Yahweh ("the Lord") is His name! vs.3

- The Lord is glorious in power! vs.6

- The Lord overthrows those who rise up against Him! vs.7

- There is no one like the Lord! vs.11

- The Lord is glorious in holiness! vs.11

- The Lord is awesome in splendor! vs.11

- He possesses unfailing love for us! vs.13

- He leads the people He has redeemed! vs.13

- He will reign forever! vs.18

6) God is always testing us on "faithfulness!" God tests the Israelites at the Red Sea, and He delivers! He tests them at Marah (with thirst), and He delivers them! He tests them again just before they get to Mount Sinai (with hunger), and He rains down "manna." He will continue to test them throughout the entire Old Testament! Which tells us that God will always test His people concerning faithfulness. Therefore, we should NEVER be surprised when things go awry!

7) Jesus is the "manna" God gives mankind for the hunger he faces! The remarkable story of God providing "manna" for the entire 40 years the Israelites wandered throughout the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula is amazing! He personally and miraculously fed them manna each and every day! Once they entered the Promised Land...it stopped forever! But, what is interesting to note is what Jesus said of Himself in John 6:48-50 - "Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven." Jesus is everything you and I will ever need!

May God give you a wonderful and productive day for His glory!