Day 34.
Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “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 14:12-14 ESV)
Israel was a bit anxious after leaving Egypt and later see the Egyptian army led by their mighty chariots running after them. They had indeed witnessed the power of God over the Egyptians but they still held back their faith. Moses encourages them to simply watch what the Lord will do. The pillar of cloud/fire that was leading them goes behind them and separates the Egyptian army from them until the Red Sea parts wide and allows Israel to pass through with walls of water on either side. When the Egyptian army tries to follow, the Lord bogs them down long enough for Israel to make it to safety and then brings the waters crashing back down upon them.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:30, 31 ESV)
Now Israel believes in the Lord. Belief comes after the Lord saves us from our enemies (in our case, sin and death), not before. Belief is not a condition that you must first meet for God to save you. It is a result of God’s saving work in your life.
Can you remember the events that led up to your faith in Jesus?
Chronological Reading Plan plus Psalms: Ex 13-15, Ps 34
