In reading Exodus 14, I was struck by so many things. People, Israelite and Egyptian, who did not know God are being actively impacted by His working in their lives. Plagues that devastated Egypt. Two million or so former slaves leaving en masse with their livestock are now traveling through the wilderness and the Lord leads them to encamp by the sea v. 2. Did they expect their journey to be a “walk in the park”? Did they know where they were going? They were used to being told what to do and knew the life they left behind and as awful as it was it was known to them. Pharaoh and his officials realize they have lost all their labor and question “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” v. 5. In the synopsis on Moses in this Chapter, it pointed out that God didn’t change who or what Moses was; he didn’t give Moses new abilities and strengths. Instead he took Moses’ characteristics and molded them until they were suited to his purposes. How often have I prayed to God to change me, make me better. Do we realize how much God loves us? Do we realize how much He loves others? My “walk in the park” comment earlier is me realizing that’s what I have been expecting. I love God so He will make everything easy for me. But we live on a planet that is affected by natural and human forces constantly: floods, earthquakes, wars, flat tires, sickness, job loss, hunger, fires raging out of control, famines, stock market crashes. And then I feel the warmth of His love. His love binds our hearts together and I am never alone. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” v. 14.

As soon as Pharaoh’s army was in sight of the Israelites, they were terrified and cried out to God. So begins the first of their complaining. “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” What’s so amazing to me is the whole time after they have left Egypt, the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day has been leading them…God’s presence in physical form they could see. How could they question God after all He has done to bring them to this point? They may have voiced these complaints to Moses…but they were directed to God.

Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. v. 19-20. Israel, all of them, are able to cross through the Red Sea on dry ground throughout the night. When Pharaoh’s army follows after them, and after Israel is safely across, the waters God held in place flow back. What does the Egyptian army realize? “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” v. 25.

Our ancestors. Are we that much different? They had the incredible benefit of seeing the pillar of fire and cloud with them. The Disciples and people of Jesus’s day had Him teaching and healing and living among them. How amazing was that? We can get a better feel for that in watching The Chosen and words we could only read before come alive. “All of this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:25-27.

As you draw near to God, you experience His peace and it isn’t as the world gives you peace. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9. It is a wonderful thing to remain in God’s love. We will still live in a world that provides countless difficulties and challenges but we will not be alone. God is Spirit and He is with us, His love is our protection and greatest gift. I don’t know about you but I want to walk with my eyes and heart open to Him and His guiding hand in my life – fully trusting where He leads me. I’m never alone. He’s here.