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.
Exodus 14:13
Although Pharaoh released the Israelites to leave Egypt, he later changed his mind. So he took 600 of his best chariots and fighting men and took off after the Israelites. The Egyptians pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth. As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites were terrified and cried out to Moses: Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? (v.11) If I were Moses I would have been terrified also. Not only did he have the Egyptians breathing down his neck, he had the whole nation of Israel terrified and now furious with him for leading them out! Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place! But Moses, a man of God, knew that God would deliver them because he trusted his God. He told the people to stand firm, not to fear; they would see the deliverance of the Lord. At this point, God told Moses to raise his staff, and all night the Lord drove the sea back and turned it into dry land. All of the Israelites passed through the Red Sea.
When the Egyptians pursued them, the Lord made the waters flow back, and Pharaoh and his army were killed.
God reminded Moses that he had His staff of authority in his hand.
It was God who had given him the staff to use as a symbol of God’s mighty power because He knew that Moses would face opposition. Later on we see Moses raise his staff when Israel fought the Amalekites. When he raised his arms, the enemy was defeated.
The Lord has placed the authority of Christ in us. When Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross, He took with Him our sin, our sickness, our sorrow, and our struggles. As believers, He gives us His authority through His Holy Spirit to stand against all those things that oppose us. Christians face difficult circumstances just like unbelievers do, but there is a difference – we are more than conquerors because of the shed blood of Christ: And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love him who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) God stands in opposition to everything in our lives that opposes His purposes. Stand firm today and see the deliverance of the Lord. Take up your staff and remember that God fights for you.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that I am more than a conqueror because of what You did for me on the cross. Victory in times of struggle is mine when I have the faith to stand and wait for Your deliverance.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
