Stand Firm or Go Forward?

As I write this last post on the topic of fear, I want to challenge some of our thinking. In Exodus 14, the children of Israel have finally been released to head to the Promised Land when Pharaoh has a change of mind. Instead of looking ahead to the land flowing with milk and honey, the Israelites look back and see the Egyptian army charging their way. As God orchestrated it, the Israelites can’t just bolt across the barren desert; this encounter happens as they’re encamped next to the Red Sea.Moses courageously declares to his followers:

“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”(Exodus 14:13-14)

I want to write verse 14 on my mirror, but if I move ahead just one more verse, the Lord then says to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.” Wait. I’d just decided to stand firm and be silent. One verse later, the Lord is telling everyone to walk into the Red Sea!So, which is it? Do we stand firm and silently watch the Lord fight for us? Or do we go forward? The answer is yes! As we try to move beyond fear, the reality is that most of us decide to take matters into our own hands. Our fear stirs when we come to the realization that we aren’t good enough, strong enough, smart enough, or omnipotent enough to be the god of our own lives. Instead, we do need to stop. We do need to be still. We need to have God be first in all things, not just our back-up plan.[bctt tweet="Do we stand firm and silently watch the Lord fight for us? Or do we go forward?"]It’s in the stillness that we can listen to and obey the Lord. God definitely proved Himself to both the Israelites and the Egyptians, but He also required the Israelites to participate in their escape. Moses had to obey and raise his arms. The Israelites had to step into the Red Sea.As you ask the Lord to move you beyond fear, consider which of these apply to you in your journey:

• Where are you trying to be God in your own life?
• Where do you need to literally stop and allow the Lord to have control?
• When was the last time you were still enough to listen in order to know what God wanted your next step to be?

Scripture tells us 68 times to “fear not” or “be not afraid.” That doesn’t mean He intends for us to live boring, cautious lives. On the contrary, God even told Moses that He was hardening Pharaoh’s heart so “the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen” (Exodus 14:18).[bctt tweet="God doesn't intend for us to live boring, cautious lives."]God allows us to be a part of His story. Our purpose here on earth is not our comfort, but being used by the Lord to point others to Himself. Even if we get a little wet along the way, we have the privilege of living adventurous lives for His glory. Put God on His rightful throne and then follow the King of Kings, knowing that there’s no need to fear when we are under His protective hand.