Be Still
“5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” 6 So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. 7 He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 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? 12 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!”
13 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. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.””
The crossing of the Red Sea was far more than a physical relocation; it marked a profound spiritual turning point, freeing the Israelites from the civilization and influence of Egypt. This event symbolizes salvation and the beginning of a new life—a moment that the New Testament connects to the image of baptism. Yet the transition was not easy. In front of the Red Sea, the people felt fear, anxiety, and a temptation to look back. These experiences reflect the human tendency to cling to the familiar past and struggle to move toward a new path of faith.
Confronting a frightened people, Moses declared, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” Rather than trying to save themselves, the Israelites needed to witness God’s saving work and respond with faith. “Standing still” was not mere passivity, but an act of trust in God’s promise—a resolute posture of believing and stepping forward under His guidance.
The path of faith often clashes with worldly allure, fear, and our instinct for quick results. Yet God’s grace continuously calls us onto a new road where we rely on His promises and respond in faith. Instead of being captivated by the world’s dazzling display or immediate solutions, we are called to seize God’s grace and promises with decisive trust.
The Exodus event is not just an ancient story but a narrative of salvation that applies to all who live by faith. God’s grace leads us into a new life, and as we respond in faith, that grace becomes all the more abundant. May each of us, when faced with life’s challenges and temptations, choose the path of faith today and experience God’s salvation.
Prayer: Lord, lift our eyes to behold You, guiding us to choose the path of faith. Grant us discernment and courage, so that in walking this path we may experience boldness, peace, and the marvelous fruits that come from You. Help us to obey Your voice: “Be still and see the Lord fight for you.” May we fix our gaze on You today and every day. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
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