“Fear is forceful, it attempts to bully you into unhealthy reactions, while love is patient, bidding you to be still.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 8, 2022
Moses answered the people, Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:13-14
God offers cheer in the face of fear. Just as He adores a cheerful giver who may fear losing money, so the Lord longs to see His child find peace in the face of physical threat. In God’s grace, there is a peace that passes all understanding, that stands down discouragement or despair. But what if I lose something, an anxious heart may ask? Lose a job? Lose an opportunity? Lose a healthy body? Lose money? Lose a relationship? The protection of loss or the recovery of loss is the Lord’s specialty. So, stand on a firm foundation of faith, do not fear and be of good cheer.
Facing an insurmountable obstacle—ominous water—being pursued by a hardened, intense army of avengers, Israel, the chosen of God, had to make a choice. Plunge to their death by crossing the threatening water or stand still and be slaughtered by their hostile former captors. But God. But God had a plan and purpose. Earlier in Exodus 14, He explained His plan was to once again harden Pharoah’s heart, so he would pursue the escaped slaves, so God could purposefully display His glory through the parting of the Red Sea. Glory! God displays when His people obey.
“And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant” (Exodus 14:31).
Is fear playing mind games with your faith? If so, stand still, look up and seize every thought as a captive for Christ. Pray prisoners of truth become converts for Christ’s cause. And be prepared. Fear is forceful, it attempts to bully you into unhealthy reactions, while love is patient bidding you to be still. Wait for the Lord to determine your fate…in His timing, as He is never late. Love is the remedy that heals the heart, soothes the soul and renews the mind with calming truth. If you are facing a health issue, offer your body as a living sacrifice to the Lord, trust Him to heal.
Peaceful courage comes in the fires of refining faith, where pure love attracts a humble heart. Fear attacks, love attracts. You can be of good courage, because of the reality of your heavenly Father’s past faithfulness, your present experience of the Spirit’s comforting presence, and your eternal hope of the Son’s conquering return. You may feel past guilt pursuing you or unmovable obstacles facing you, if so, stand still with peaceful courage and watch God part the seas for you to walk ahead with Him. Love and obey, as the Lord displays His glory while inviting you to follow!
“But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians” (Exodus 14: 29-30).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me peaceful courage to stand firm in you and trust you to provide a way, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Listen closely to the words of today’s worship song. How is God loving you?
Related Reading
Deuteronomy 3:16; Joshua 1:6-9; Mark 6:50; Philippians 1:20
Worship Resource
Tasha Cobbs Leonard: No Longer Slaves
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
