From Fear To Faith By The Banks Of The Sea - Exodus 14:10-16

Introduction

A few years ago, a woman received devastating news from her doctor. When she asked, “What can we do about it?” he replied, “All we can do now is pray.” Her response was telling: “Has it come down to that?” For her, prayer seemed like a last resort, not a source of hope.

I’ve had moments in my own life when God’s plan wasn’t clear. Things didn’t make sense, but I learned to trust Him, knowing He was working for my good. In a world that often mocks faith and calls trusting God foolish when hope seems gone, God is asking us today: Do you really trust Me?

In Exodus 14:10-16, the Israelites faced a moment of crisis that tested their faith. Having witnessed God’s power through the ten plagues, they were now free from Egypt, beginning their exodus. But as Pharaoh’s army pursued them and the Red Sea loomed ahead, they felt trapped—pursued by their past with nowhere to go. Yet God used this moment to teach them to trust Him. Let’s explore three truths from this passage that show us how to trust God when hope seems lost, keeping our eyes on the future He has planned.

I. Trapped by the Past

As the Israelites fled Egypt, they looked back and saw Pharaoh’s army closing in. Exodus 14:10 (LSB) says, “And Pharaoh drew near, and the sons of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very afraid; so the sons of Israel cried out to Yahweh.”

A. Fear of the Past

The Israelites were free, but their past—Egypt’s oppression—still haunted them. The sight of the army sparked panic, as the Red Sea blocked their escape.

They began to regret their freedom, saying in Exodus 14:12 (LSB), “Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘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.”

B. Our Past Can Distract Us

Like the Israelites, we often feel pursued by our past—mistakes, regrets, or old burdens that seem to chase us down.

In those moments, fear can make us doubt God’s plan, tempting us to think life was better before.

Yet God has freed us through Christ’s blood, as Romans 6:6-7 (LSB) declares: “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died has been justified from sin.” When our past threatens to overwhelm us, we must trust God to lead us forward.

This fear of the past led the Israelites to despair about their present, missing the hope God was preparing.

II. Overwhelmed by the Present

Facing the Red Sea with the Egyptian army behind them, the Israelites saw their present as hopeless. Exodus 14:11-12 (LSB) reveals their grumbling: “Then they said to Moses, ‘Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, to bring us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, “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.’”

A. Seeing Only the Problem

The Israelites focused on their circumstances—the sea ahead, the army behind—concluding that God had abandoned them.

They placed more faith in Pharaoh’s power than in God’s promises, complaining against Moses and, ultimately, against God (verse 11).

Their despair blinded them to God’s presence, making slavery seem better than trusting Him.

B. God Turns Hopelessness into Hope

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when our “right now” looks bleak—financial struggles, health crises, or broken relationships can make us question God’s care.

But as 1 Peter 5:7 (LSB) reminds us, we can “cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” Our present is never hopeless with God.

Instead of grumbling like the Israelites, we’re called to trust that God is bigger than our circumstances, working for our good, as Romans 8:28 (LSB) assures: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

By focusing on their past and present, the Israelites nearly missed the incredible future God had planned.

III. Trusting God for the Future

In their moment of despair, God showed the Israelites His power through Moses’ trust. Exodus 14:13-14 (LSB) says, “But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Take your stand, and see the salvation of Yahweh which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again forever. Yahweh will fight for you, while you keep silent.’”