Get Out of the Way

One of the things that has been so powerful for me is God’s promise to Israel that He will fight for them. As I am writing in my dissertation from the book of Exodus right now, I am once again reminded of this. Yahweh had one last encounter set up with Pharaoh and His promise to His people? “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today . . . The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (14:13-14). He makes a similar statement again in Deuteronomy: “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you” (3:22).

God repeatedly told Israel that as they walked in relationship with Him, not to fear, for He would fight for them. Sometimes that meant that they had to take the step and fight in the battle, but the outcome was fully in Yahweh’s hands. However, there were also times–such as the Red Sea–where God completely acts on Israel’s behalf and they need “only to be silent.”
As I was pondering this today, I had the thought, God was taking care of Israel’s enemy and all Israel had to do was get out of the way! Israel had to respond in obedience and take the step onto that ground now dry and providing a path before them. If they would have stayed there on the shore or tried to fight the Egyptians themselves, they would not have had a chance!

Can you see the timeless application? As we are Jesus followers, actively engaged in relationship with Him, He will also fight for us. Sometimes we participate in the battle and might get a bit messed up, but the outcome is in His control. Sometimes He will handle it completely and He just needs us to be still and pay attention to where He wants us to move to get out of the way!