STAND FIRM

Hard-hearted Pharoah had endured the ten plagues and finally succumbed to Moses’ demands! He’d released his prisoners… and then he reconsidered!

They, the Hebrews, had been the backbone of the Egyptian workforce. For four hundred years the Egyptians had watched as Israelite men built their houses and highways, their buildings and bridges, their monuments and municipalities. 

“Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about the people and said, ‘What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.’ So he got his chariot ready and took his troops with him; he took six hundred of the best chariots and all the rest of the chariots of Egypt, with officers in each one” (Exodus 14:5–7). Saddle up boys, we’re goin’ to round up the slaves!”

Meanwhile, God’s people were camped on the banks of the Red Sea.

“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them! The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help” (Exodus 14:10).

God might have said, “Prepare for battle! Sharpen your swords and spears! Pick up five smooth stones and get ready to take aim!” God didn’t say that.

God told Moses what to announce to the nation! “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet” (Exodus 14:13-14).

Stand firm! Have faith! Trust God to fight your battles!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).