EXODUS 14:1-18 SALVATION OF GOD God does not always do what we think is best from our point of view. For the children of Israel to be led into a cull de sac from which they could see no escape, brought about despair, fear and whining complaints. The people of God had yet to learn "without faith it is impossible to please God." The world system in its arrogant dismissal of God, thinks that defeat of God's people is within its power and will not cease attempting to claim a victory over any child of God.
The six hundred chariots with two men in each one, along with all of Pharaoh's army were no match for God. When those times come, and the world seems to be closing in on us, instead of complaining, we need to remember God is for us and His past faithfulness to us assures us the world and its sin has no dominion over us. When we put our faith in God alone, our confidence in Him reminds us His salvation that He gave us, is assured. "Salvation is of the Lord." He saves us by His own design and power. Lack of faith in Him causes us grief. Full trust in Him brings deliverance.
From God came the words, "Fear ye not," when Israel wanted to go back to the world of slavery and domination by the ungodly. The flesh is an enemy that is always with us. The world is not. It cannot claim our allegiance unless we yield to the fears the flesh deceives us with. When God said, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord," He was charging the children of Israel to listen to His word and put their faith in Him alone. Salvation had been promised to them on God's terms and in His way, not in their preconceived notions to what was going to happen. We have to learn those same lessons ourselves lest we try to take things into our own hands. "Fear not," "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord," precedes the charge to "Go forward."
There is a time to wait, there is a time to pray, and there is a time to go forward and act in faith. To pray for more guidance after we have received guidance already is only an excuse to avoid the obedience of faith. To remain in comfortable circumstances, or to stall in fear is to doubt God's guidance.
Pharaoh probably felt there was nothing more God was going to do. He may even have thought God had nothing more He could do. The conceit and deceit of the world knows no limits unless God steps in to stop the vain imaginations and will of its evil intent. The world will pursue the people of God, determined to bring down those who follow the Lord. When we are called to follow Him, He will guard us behind and will go before us.
Salvation is a work of God. The cloud moved between the Egyptians and Israelites, giving darkness to the Egyptians while fire gave light to the children of Israel. Then there came the strong east wind. The waters moved back and the wet ground became dry so the children of Israel could easily cross the Red Sea. According to Psalm 77:17-18 there was also a storm that overcame the Egyptians when they were seeking to cross behind Israel. Then the tide returned and the water swept over the Egyptians, drowning them all. The salvation of Israel crossing the Red Sea following the exodus from Egypt, is a type of the salvation of the Lord we have experienced by God's grace through faith.
No place to turn to, no place to hide. The mountains are too high, the water is too wide. To turn back now, enemies are there from which I flee. How can God let this happen to me?
"Fear not?!" That is easier said than done! "Stand still?!" That is easy, I've no place to run! "See the salvation of the Lord?!" I'm in an impossible situation! Where can I go to find this salvation?
"God is in control?!" That is easy for you to say! What is happening to me now may happen to you some day! The end is here, there is no more time! There is no salvation! No escape can I find!
Get up off my knees?! "Go forward?!" But where? That water is deep, and an east wind blows strong there! The storm is raging around me, where can I go? Just step out in faith and I surely will know?!
Whatever has happened!! The water is gone! The sea bed is dry that all that water was on! God has made a way of escape; He alone is my salvation!! And here I was struggling in self-pity and fleshly agitation!
O Lord, forgive me for taking my eyes off of Thee! Have mercy, and please hear my cry and my anxious plea! I know faith has eyes that are not normal to men. Help Thy servant to open faith's eyes and always use them.
"Father, I know I have been lax in my devotion. I really have no excuse. Thanks so much for feeding my soul even when I wasn't digesting spiritual food very well. Thanks for Thy Word hid in my heart that has helped me through this time change and physical weakness. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."