The Hebrews weren’t crazy.
When Exodus 14 tells the story, the people looked back and saw Pharaoh’s army bearing down on them. They said, “It would’ve been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die out here.”
And… they weren’t exactly wrong.
At least in Egypt, they knew how to survive. Oh, there were brutal moments, for sure. But at least it was familiar and predictable. They woke up every morning knowing just about what the day would throw at them. But in the wilderness, there's nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Death feels more certain than some promise.
And the reality is that we sometimes do that too.
We look at the life God is calling us into and tremble at the unknown. There's a stretching of faith and trust that makes us uncomfortable or unsure. We might even start romanticizing the thing God promises to deliver us from. Not because it was so good… but because at least we knew what to expect.
“Better that than this.”
But God didn’t bring the Hebrews out of Egypt to let them die. So, Moses doesn’t argue with their fear. He just says, “Stand still. The Lord will fight for you.” In other words: You don’t see the whole picture yet.
They can’t see the sea splitting yet. All they see is danger behind them and uncertainty in front of them. But God is already making a way where there isn’t one.
And as a follower of Jesus, you're going to need to get used to that.
Sometimes, it feels like losing before it feels like living. It feels like dying before it feels like resurrection. The old life will try to call you back, and you might consider it because at least you know it well.
But God didn’t save you just for survival. God redeemed you for freedom.
So stand still today. And trust the God who is already making a way.
Stay blessed...john
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