Trapped!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Exodus 14:1-14

TO CHEW ON: "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.' ” Exodus 14:13,14

After a few days of traveling in the desert, the Israelites’ excitement at being free started to wear thin. Even though they were no longer slaves, walking for miles every day under the hot sun wasn’t exactly easy either.

But one thing this crowd of about two million people didn’t need to worry about was getting lost. From the beginning God showed them the way. In the day He led them with a cloud. In the night that cloud lit up as if filled with fire. Whenever the cloud moved, the Israelites moved. When it stopped, they camped.

Israelites leaving Egypt - Artist unknown

In a few days they found themselves camped in a dead end, between rocks, desert and the sea. But God had led them here, so it must be okay.

Meanwhile back in Egypt, Pharaoh couldn’t believe he let the Israelites go. What was he thinking? Such a huge crowd couldn’t move fast, though. They wouldn’t be far away. He would go after them and bring them back.

The Israelites were shocked when sand clouds turned into horses and chariots. “The Egyptians are coming!” they cried to Moses. “Why have you brought us here?”

How did Moses answer them (Exodus 14:14)? Choose the right answer.
1. Get your bows and arrows ready!
2. I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t hear God right.
3. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Could it be God had a plan?

But what could He possibly do? The Egyptian army was coming closer by the minute. There was no way out but to climb the rocks or dive into the water. It looked hopeless.

Figuring out what God’s plan was, was not what those people needed to do. Neither is it what we need to do when we’re in trouble. Rather, we need to trust God and do what He says.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to trust You, then obey and do what You tell me to do. Amen.

MORE: In a squeeze
1. Have you ever been in a tight spot? What happened?
2. Are you in such a spot now?
- What does this story show about God?
- What does this story show about people who trust in God?
- What can you do about the problem you’re in?

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.