Key scripture -“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.” (Isaiah 43:2a).

The Key scripture today reminds me of when the Israelites were standing on the shore of the Red Sea, and what they must have been thinking with the sea in front of them and the Egyptian army advancing on them. I can imagine their distress because they were caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

“When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord… And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. ” (Exodus 14:10, 13-16).

The question that they probably had was, “Has God forgotten us?” It is the same question that visits each of us from time to time when everything around us seems to be crumbling: the loss of a job, broken relationships, the loss of loved ones, financial problems, serious health problems, a wayward child, just to name a few.

Like the Israelites in their moment of distress, we do not know God’s plan; the Israelites were not expecting God to part the water before them and we do not know what God is going to do to solve our problem because His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

No matter what you are facing today, the easy thing to do is to abandon your faith and become cynical. When those thoughts of defeat and discouragement fill your head you need to remember Moses’ exhortation and say it to yourself, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today… The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14). God delights in carrying us through even the darkest of times. He is at work right now in your situation. Trust in Him, and allow this promise to Moses and the Israelites to strengthen your spirit today.

Trusting in God is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold of the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelm us. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

So, fear not, stand firm, and watch The Lord fight for you today.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, You are my helper, You are the one who sustains me. (Psalm 54:4). Many things are weighing me down, but I give each one to You and I ask You to intervene. Please guard me from responding to these problems inappropriately. Guard me from turning to my own ways and human wisdom. I know that You are always near and You are my sustaining help. I am totally dependent upon You in every way. I know that “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.” (Psalm 34:10, 15, 17, 19-20, 22). I choose to get better not bitter and to walk by faith and not by sight. I will not fear, I will stand firm, I will be silent, and I will watch You fight for me today. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.