Pastor Tom's Community

Exodus 14:9–25

As I looked over today’s Scripture readings, I remembered a sermon I preached nearly fifty years ago.

The children of Israel had left Egypt, but they had not yet escaped danger. Before them was the sea. Behind them came Pharaoh’s army. They could hear the horses’ hoofbeats and see the approaching chariots.

They had brought their children, their possessions, and whatever they could carry out of slavery. Now they appeared to be trapped.

That is when three voices spoke at the sea.

The Voice of Cowardice: Go Back

The frightened people cried out to Moses:

“Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?”
—Exodus 14:11

They remembered Egypt as a place of security, even though it had been a place of slavery.

Fear can distort our memories. It persuades us that familiar bondage is better than unfamiliar freedom. It tells us that going backward is safer than trusting God with what lies ahead.

The voice of cowardice says, “Go back.”

We hear it whenever fear tells us to abandon a calling, surrender our freedom, or return to something God has already delivered us from.

The Voice of Confident Caution: Stand Still

Moses responded:

“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.”
—Exodus 14:13

This was a word of faith. Moses was telling the people not to panic. They did not need to scatter, surrender, or attempt to save themselves by returning to Egypt.

There are times when standing still is exactly what faith requires. We must become quiet enough to remember that the battle belongs to God.

But this was not the final word.

“Stand still” was an interim instruction. It was a pause between panic and progress—a moment to stop reacting from fear and begin responding in faith.

The voice of confident caution says, “Do not panic. Watch for what God is doing.”

The Voice of Confident Courage: Move Forward

Then God spoke to Moses:

“Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”
—Exodus 14:15

The people could not remain where they were. Egypt was behind them. The sea was before them. God’s way was forward, even though no visible road yet existed.

The command came before the path appeared.

That is confident courage. It does not pretend the sea is not there or that the horses are not approaching. It sees the obstacles clearly but trusts that God is already at work.

The voice of confident courage says, “Move forward.”

As they moved, God made a way.

Sometimes faith stands still long enough to stop trembling. Then it steps forward.

We may find ourselves at such a place today. Something behind us is threatening. Something ahead of us appears impossible. We are tempted to return to the familiar, even if the familiar once held us captive.

Three voices call to us:

• Cowardice says, “Go back.”
• Confident caution says, “Stand still and watch.”
• Confident courage says, “Move forward.”

There is a time to stop panicking and see what God will do. But there is also a time to lift our feet, take the next step, and trust that the God who brought us out will also bring us through.

The road may not appear until we start moving.

Prayer

Lord, when fear tells me to return to what You have brought me out of, give me faith. Teach me when to stand still and watch for Your salvation. Then give me the confident courage to move forward when You say, “Go.” Amen.