Psalm of Praise: Psalms 112:1,7
Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Bible Reading: Exodus 14:9-10,13-16
The Egyptians pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth. As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.
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.
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.
Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water
so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
A Reflection:
There can be times in all of our lives when we feel trapped. It may be by financial circumstances or by ill health, it may be in a difficult relationship or in a problematic work situation. It may be something else. We do our best to find a way out but still feel trapped, up against a brick wall.
Being trapped in a difficult situation can be like a form of slavery; something or someone is controlling our lives in an unhealthy way, maybe leaving us anxious or fearful.
The Israelites had been in slavery to the Egyptians for hundreds of years, now at last they could see a way out; Pharoah had been persuaded, through a series of plagues, to let them go. But just when they thought they were free he changed his mind and pursued them with horses and chariots as they fled on foot. Now they were trapped between Pharoah’s armies and the Red Sea. Unable to move in any direction they did the right thing, they called out to the Lord.
‘Help me, Lord’ is a powerful prayer.
God answered their prayer in stages. Firstly he dealt with their fear. ‘Do not be afraid’ he says, ‘Stand firm.’ Secondly he gives them a promise for the future, ‘The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.’ Then he tells them what he will do and what they should do, ‘The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still’ and finally he works a miracle as Moses holds his staff out over the sea and the water divides.
Are there situations you face that seem impossible? Will you do as the Israelites did, do not fear, stand firm, the Lord will fight for you, be still and trust him. God will make a way through a seemingly impossible situation and you will leave the problem behind you.
Pray:
When I am facing an impossible situation, Lord,
remind me that you are the God of miracles
and that I can trust you to make a way through.
Amen
God will make a way