Do you ever panic when your situation looks bleak, thinking God has forgotten you?
It’s human nature, I’m sure, to fear the worst when the odds are against us. But I believe God wants to do so much more for us when we trust Him during times of uncertainty.
I was reminded in God’s Word this morning of how God rescued and delivered His people from Egypt. As the Israelites were backed up against the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army hotly pursuing them, they feared annihilation by the Egyptians. Yet, Moses’ instructions were simple and straightforward:
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:13-14)
God then told Moses to raise his staff and divide the waters of the Red Sea so His people could cross through the middle of it. God also told Moses that the Egyptians would pursue them right through the middle of the sea, but God would “gain glory” through it. Moses didn’t know exactly what that meant. God didn’t give him specifics. Moses only knew that God expected him to take the next step, and trust God in the face of threatening circumstances.
All night, the Israelites walked through the parted sea while God, as a pillar of fire, lit their way and was a rear barrier for them, keeping them safely separated from the ensuing Egyptian army. Then, when every last one of the Israelites (all 600,000 of them!) made it safely to the other side, God sent the Egyptians into confusion and covered them with the giant walls of water. Every last one of the Egyptians — Pharaoh included — drowned that day.
The Israelites witnessed the spectacular, wondrous, majestic hand of God delivering them from their enemies! Yet only three days later, they came to a spring in the desert and grumbled against Moses (and God) because the water was bitter and they had nothing to drink.
How quickly they had forgotten the God who rescued them. Couldn’t the God who separated the waters also sweeten them?
In spite of their forgetfulness and grumbling spirit, God did sweeten the water for them. He not only gave them water to drink, but He brought them to Elim — “where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped near the water” (Exodus 15:27). God gave them the equivalent of a Palm Springs luxury resort! Right there in the desert!
How quickly you and I can forget God’s amazing works, too. How quickly we start to grumble when our situation starts to look bleak.
Next time you’re in the heat of the moment, feeling threatened or forgotten, remember the God of wonders. If He can secure your eternal life, certainly He can take care of your everyday life, too.
The Lord will fight for you, too. You need only to be still.
(For more on God’s amazing rescues, see my books When God Pursues a Woman’s Heart and When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts.)
So, your blog today is the reminder to continue to trust in God! My older son, who is dyslexic and months away from high school graduation, has failed math and today there is great uncertainty for him at school. I cried out to God for help for him. I check my email and God has spoken through you and the computer to me!
Hi Dawn, I’m so encouraged to hear how the Lord used my devotional thought this morning to encourage your heart right where you are this moment. I was going to run that blog in a couple weeks, but now I know why it posted this morning. How wonderful that God’s Word (Exodus 14:13-14) written more than 2,000 years ago can still penetrate and encourage and strengthen our hearts today. Go boldly into today knowing that.
Well, God was definitely present and communicating! This has happened a few times in the past with your blog. God has connected us in a way without ever physically meeting. Perhaps, one day our paths will cross.
I love how God does that. And I would love to meet you, personally, one day. 🙂
We all have the human nature and sadly forget how much God loves us and wants the best for us always. We tend to grumble just like the Israelites.
That’s for sure, Gail. Thank you for consistently taking the time to comment on my blogs. I so appreciate you.
Your words of encouragement have come today when my mum after falling ill has been diagnosed with cancer. I’m in the UK, she is back home in Africa with my brother and sister-in-law. The challenge at hand is the division in the family with members not talking to one another — something that has been going on for ages. I’m feeling encouraged that the Lord will fight for my mum. Please remember my mum in your prayers and for Daddy God to bring peace and unity in our family to the glory of his Wonderful Name!
Yes I will keep your mom in my prayers. Be encouraged that God goes before you and He desires unity in your family as well. (1 John 5:4-5).
I am in a valley of uncertainty in my marriage. Everywhere I turn, something seems to come against us. When I try to do things to help bring us closer together, my husband always finds a way to turn a good & positive evening into an argumentative & negative evening. I’m fighting for my marriage, but sometimes it looks so bleak. My heart & soul are so tired, weary, & woren. I need a breakthrough, Jesus.
Thank you for your honesty and for sharing how it is you need the Lord to fight for you. You are one of the precious hearts that I wrote my newest book for. In “12 Ways to Experience More With Your Husband” I point out in one chapter that we and our husbands tend to react out of our pain and when he is negative it’s probably because something is triggering some pain in him and I give steps for how to respond to that in a way that draws you closer instead of pulling you two further apart. I have an introductory special on my website for that book right now so please check it out. And hang in there, my friend. It will be worth it.
Hello Graham,
As I am reading through the comments (because I always learn from other women’s experiences) I find I have to comment here. I just received Cindi’s book, “12 Ways to Experience More With Your Husband”. It is an AMAZING book so far and even though I have just begun reading it, I feel I have already learned so much! I am sorry for the uncertainty in your marriage, that’s such a hard place to be. I have a good marriage now, but when we started out years ago I stood in those shoes. I only wish Cindi’s book had been in my hands then. Anyway, I will pray for you and your marriage!
I was betrayed and deceived by the ones that I trusted most. I prayed to God to give me Peace which he did. I responded with Romans 12:19. God fought for me and I can literally see it.
To God Be All Glory.
Good Morning dear sister! I pray all is well. Thank you so much for your faithful encouragement in Him. He will see us through. Just passed on yet another copy of your book, ‘When Women Walk Alone’. His blessings never end. Thank you so much. GOD bless you Cindi.
Thank you, Nadine, for your sweet comment and for continuing to pass my books on to others.
I hope you’ll come to CCO soon!
I hope so too!
Your comment*I am planning on growing spiritually, your blog couldn’t have come at a better time than this in my life. I am really looking forward to reading more of your stuff
Thank you, Amanda. 🙂 I’m glad it was good timing for you.
This article is so very timely. I am experiencing injustice at my employment and have put the matter before God and trusting for His deliverance. I know He will make my situation right. Cindy you are such an inspiration to me. May God’s blessings continue to empower you.
Thank you, Debi, for your kind words and for taking the time to leave a comment. ?