Never Say Never!

"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:13‭-‬14.

The adrenaline of the Israelites must have been going wild as they were finally walking the road of FREEDOM! However, that adrenaline quickly stirred up some fear as they looked back and saw the Egyptians coming after them again! The pursuit wasn't quite over yet-and the Israelites were starting to lose hope. They were starting to doubt. But with God, never say never: "For with God nothing shall be impossible." Luke 1:37!!

So Moses encouraged the people and said that The Lord will fight for them in the words above, because the people told him: "Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness." Exodus 14:12.

He makes a way when there seems to be none! In the previous chapter, God spoke to Moses to remind the Israelites of their victory. To remember the day God saved them with a strong hand, and how He has redeemed the firstborn of the Israelites (Exodus 13). This reminder would become the reason why the Israelites should trust God when the Egyptians pursue after them again. If God did it once, no doubt He will do it again! Never say never!

The Israelites were trapped-the Red Sea in front of them, the Egyptians behind them. But what seemed like a trap was actually the greatest opportunity for God to manifest His power! And honestly, it wasn't just for the Egyptians...the Israelites needed to be released from some doubt too, as we saw in the conversation with Moses. They would not die in the wilderness, they would come through alive and well:

"And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left." Exodus 14:21‭-‬22.

Not only was there a path to follow, but walls of protection on both sides! God had them covered. God has US covered, too! Just replace any doubt with trust!

Afterward, the adrenaline must have started rushing again as the waves rushed upon the Egyptians behind them! The days of evil bondage were finally over. Just like when we are baptized in full immersion in Jesus' Name, we can get up out of those waters and wave goodbye to a life where sin had kept us in evil bondage!

Moses and the Israelites began to sing in celebration. They praised God and said "Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Exodus 15:11. How beautiful! Trust was restored in a miraculous way!

This does not mean Israel had a PERFECT trust relationship, though. At the end of this reading, the Israelites could only find bitter water to drink, and they "...murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?" Exodus 15:24. Moses cried unto God, and He cause a tree to be cast into the waters which made them sweet again. And God said:

"...If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." Exodus 15:26.

God said don't worry! Don't doubt! He will take care of you. Just don't be afraid to obey. Don't be afraid to do things His way. I know it isn't always easy, and the Israelites quickly forgot about their celebration song when they came up against another problem. But let's just look at every problem like the Red Sea and know that we are not cornered...God just has us protected on ALL sides!