From Desperation to Destination

On Sunday we looked at Exodus 14:10-15. You have to admit that the Israelites were in a pretty desperate situation. They were leaving their lives as slaves in Egypt and headed to the land that God had promised them. Out in the middle of nowhere pretty much. Stopped cold because the Red Sea is in front of them. No bridge. No B.A.R.T. No ferry boat. The only way across, it would seem, would be to walk across. Hmmm, a real problem, eh?

Then they look behind them and on the horizon they see Pharaoh and his army bearing down on them. They were suddenly focused on their past. At that point panic and pandemonium ensued. Here's what the Bible says:

"As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, '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!'"

Now, you have to admit you might have done the same thing in those circumstances. The word on the street was, "People, we have a problem! Now what?" But Moses is clear in his resolve. The Lord had led them to where they were now, and the Lord would not be abandoning them any time soon. Read what Moses said to these people of little faith.

"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.'"

Now I have to wonder if Moses had to seriously work on controlling himself to not lash out at them. But instead, he reassured them that God was with them and would fight for them. But then God had a word for Moses:

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

It sounds to me like God was saying something like, "Moses, this is not the time to be encouraging them to stand. This is NOT the time to be talking about faith. This is the time to move out. I already told you that you were going to the promised land. Maybe you should be ACTING like you're gonna reach the destination instead of TALKING about reaching it. Head 'em up and move 'em out, Moses!"

It occurs to me that Moses could have stood there all day long building them up, reminding them of God's hand in getting them out of Egypt, and speaking encouragement to them, but (knowing the Israelites like we do) I doubt whether they would have felt any better. Their focus was on the desperate situation of Pharaoh's army chasing them. What would build their faith more than to move out and see God's hand do a mighty act on their behalf?

Quit talking, and start moving!

So the question is, what do you need to move on? What do you need to let go of from your past in order to move forward into the destination God has for you? Where is your focus? Is it on your past, or is it on your faith and what God has called you to?

Comments, please?