A friend shared a verse with me not long ago, and I loved it!

Exodus 14:14

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

A few weeks later, I was at an event where this was the favorite verse of someone who was being introduced.

I smiled and thought, "I love that verse too!"

Then yesterday, I was reading in Exodus and almost laughed out loud when I read the next verse in this same chapter. I had been clinging to the thought of simply "being still" and allowing God to "fight for me" without reading on in this same story.

The Israelites were being pursued by the Egyptians and had reached the Red Sea.

They saw no way out of their predicament.

Raging water on one side.

Enemies on the other.

They began crying out to God and to Moses, and Moses was trying to comfort them with the words above.

It was as if Moses was saying, "Relax, God has everything under control. Trust Him."

And then as soon as he makes this proclamation, listen to what God says to him in verse 15,

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.

Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Sometimes, I think our human nature wants to just give people advice like Moses gave the Israelites, "Be still. Trust God. He'll fight for you." I've done it many times.

On one hand, this is very true. God doesn't want us rushing around, fretting, feeling like we are alone in our battles. He longs for us to lean on Him, trust Him with our future.

On the other hand, God does expect us to take some action of our own at times.

If you are in a tough spot, cry out to God.

Be still and listen.

THEN................................DO SOMETHING!

Make some decisions.

Make some changes.

Stretch out your staff and move forward.

Advancing with God takes courage.

Today, I look at Exodus 14:14 and I am strengthened. God is fighting for me.

At the same time, I look at Exodus 14:15, and I am reminded that at some point, I am going to have to take a step forward in faith.

What step do you need to make today?

Praying for all of you,