VICTORY OVER OUR FEARS!
1 Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses: 2 “Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon. 3 Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’ 4 And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” So the Israelites camped there as they were told.
The Egyptians Pursue Israel
5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. 6 So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops. 7 He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance. 9 The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh’s army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon. 10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, 11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12 Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Escape through the Red Sea
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. Exodus 14:1-16 NLT
- WHAT FEAR DOES TO US:
11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness?” Exodus 14:11 NLT
“…Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?” Exodus 14:11b NLT
“Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone!…” Exodus 14:12 NLT
- It makes us shortsighted.
“…Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!” Exodus 14:12b NLT
TOO OFTEN WE DON’T TAKE THE NEXT STEPS OUT OF FEAR WE WILL FAIL IN FOLLOWING CHRIST.
- We don’t follow Christ in baptism because of fear.
- We fail to connect with other believers in Life Groups because of fear.
- We don’t pray because of fear.
- We don’t share our faith because of fear.
- We don’t lead our families because of fear.
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT
23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 27 “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:23-27 NLT
FAITH CONQUERS FEAR!
- Faith is living in a hope that is so real that it gives absolute assurance and causes change.
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT
- Living by faith is obedience to God and trust in His outcome.
- Faith is not hoping that God will. It’s knowing that He can!
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT
Next Steps for me today…
- Stop surrendering to fear and step out on faith today.
- Lead your family by taking the next step right now.
