Don’t fret be still
Exodus 14:1-14 (NIV)
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Ha-hi-roth, between Mig-dol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Ze-phon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ’The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So the Israelites did this. 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!" 6 So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. 7 He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. 8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. 9 The Egyptians--all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops--pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Ha-hi-roth, opposite Baal Zephon. 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ’Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" 13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Look at your neighbor and say don’t fret, time to be still
Intro: we have been talking about trouble and hard times today. We discussed how we know hard times will come. But we don’t have to be overcome by these hard times. We can have the peace of Christ in us. We can get to a point in life where even though things seem bad and hopeless we can know we have a God on our side that will fight with us.
We see in this scripture that we have a God that can do some things for us.
1. He will keep his promise.
a. He said he will set the Israelites free and he did
i. Had a few sit-downs with the pharaoh
ii. Sent to plagues on Egypt
1. Ultimately kills the first born son of all without the blood
b. He said he will set us free from sin and he has
i. Send the first born son Jesus to die so we can be free
c. Don’t be afraid. Seek the lord when he can be found
d. If it looks like were loosening trust in Him for redemption don’t
It’s not always the best route though
God doesn’t always work in the way that seems best to us. Instead of guiding the Israelites along the direct route from Egypt to the promised land, he took them by a longer route to avoid fighting with the Philistines. If God does not lead you along the shortest path to your goal, don’t complain or resist. Follow him willingly and trust him to lead you safely around unseen obstacles. He can see the end of your journey from the beginning, and he knows the safest and best route.
2. He will overcome all our enemies
a. Egypt tried to stop their freedom
Run the story: Pharaoh Changes his mind goes to kill them. They complain. They are scared. Complaining he says be still.
Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
13"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Relax. Calm don’t get in a tiff. Moses raises his arms and the water parts.
b. Many try to stop it for us
i. Satan tries to discourage us
ii. Attacked in many ways
iii. We need to rely on God
Window: He gave the Israelite the pillar of fire to follow to know that God was with them.
He has given us His word. The bible is our comfort and knowlege he is with us
3. He will provide for all our needs.
a. To be free they needed food and water
i. God provided both
ii. Manna from heaven
Why: because he promised to do so
b. We need food and water and he provides
c. For our physical needs
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
4. Don’t worry about tomorrow
a. For our spiritual needs
Window: Jesus is the manna from heaven
John 6:32-40 (NIV)
32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
i. Holy spirit has been given’
ii. Food
1. Word of God
a. fresh food everyday just like fresh manna was needed
i. Couldn’t fill up one day and expect it to go forever.
ii. It’s a mater of trust.
2. Jesus the bread of life
iii. Water
1. The holy Spirit
a. streams of living water
Preposition: God promised Israel to set them free from Egypt and he did. Regardless of the circumstances God overcame many obstacles for them. He also promises to deliver us from the grip of the enemy in Jesus Christ.. Yes sometimes things get ugly and rough but in these times we need to be still when the enemy attacks and let God fight our battles.
