How can we trust God when facing "great fear" like the Israelites did? Seeing the People’s Panic Exodus 14:10 sets the scene: “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD.” • Cornered between Pharaoh’s chariots and the Red Sea, Israel felt helpless. • Their instant reaction—terror and frantic cries—mirrors the way great fear ambushes us today. The Lord’s Unchanging Character • He was the same God who had just shattered Egypt with ten plagues; His power had not diminished in the slightest. • Numbers 23:19 affirms, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” When circumstances shift, His character does not. Why Fear Loses Its Grip Moses’ words in Exodus 14:13-14 give three rock-solid reasons to trust: 1. God’s Salvation: “Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation.” He alone delivers. 2. God’s Permanence: “The Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.” He ends threats completely, not temporarily. 3. God’s Protection: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” The battle is His, not ours. How to Act in the Midst of Great Fear • Remember past victories. Rehearse what God has already done (Psalm 77:11-12). • Speak the truth to your soul. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3) • Refuse to flee in panic. “Stand firm” was Israel’s directive; remaining in obedience keeps focus on God, not danger. • Move forward when He says so. After the command to stand still, God told Moses, “Tell the Israelites to go forward.” (Exodus 14:15) Trust does not freeze; it follows divine instruction. • Guard your thoughts with His peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Anxiety cannot occupy a mind surrounded by His promised peace. Promises to Recite When Fear Surges • Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.” • John 14:27 — “Peace I leave with you… Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.” • Romans 8:31 — “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Looking to the Greater Exodus • The Red Sea points ahead to Christ, who leads a final deliverance from sin and death (Luke 9:31). • Just as Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, believers pass from death to life through Him (John 5:24). • His resurrection guarantees that every apparent dead end is a God-designed gateway to freedom. Keeping Trust Fresh Each Day • Cultivate daily remembrance: journal answered prayers, rehearse Scripture, sing songs of deliverance. • Stay in community: testimonies of others reinforce faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Practice immediate surrender: as soon as fear surfaces, hand it over—“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) When great fear presses in, the God who split the sea still speaks: “Stand firm… the LORD will fight for you.” Trust rests on His unchanging power and proven faithfulness. |
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