Devotional: Stand Still: Exodus14:13-30

“But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever’” (Exod. 14:13, NASB).

The flood comes to Nashville, Tennessee in May 2010. The city meets the challenge of recovering from the devastation. Nashville rebuilds and continues on its path of becoming one of the best cities in the country for business opportunities. Everything seems to be progressing as city leaders plan and hope for continuing growth and progress. On the night of March 2 and into the morning of March 3, 2020, Nashville and Middle Tennessee are hit by tornados that reached EF3 intensity. Nashville responds with cooperation among its citizens that are optimistic that Nashville will recover again. Then, from out of nowhere it seems, Nashville and the whole world is attacked by a virus that is unlike any virus before it. It is unknown. It is more contagious, and it is more virulent. No one knows what to expect. As the death toll increases people begin to get desperate. For many people they feel threatened like they have never felt before. The people cry out to their leaders in science, government, business, education, medicine. The answers and solutions seem inadequate to solve the problem. What will we do?

The Israelites under the leadership of Moses and his brother Aaron are set free by the king of Egypt. The people rejoice and the look forward to a new land of their own that the God of their fathers promised to give to them. Unknown to them, Pharaoh changes his mind. He will not let the slaves go. He will bring them back to Egypt to serve him and his people. Suddenly, the people hear the sound of Pharaoh’s chariots approaching. They know that their lives are in danger. The people cry out to Moses for help. They blame him for their circumstances. They will die at the hand of Pharaoh.

The people know about God, the God of their fathers, but they do not know God. They have seen some of His power, but they do not know that God is the Almighty God with all power. Moses answers their cry. He says stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. Do not panic. Don’t do anything. You do not need to worry about Pharaoh and his chariots. Be still. The Lord is going to save you this day. The lord is going to eliminate the Egyptians that you see as a threat to your existence.

Are you worried about the pandemic? Do you feel defeated? Like Pharaoh’s army the pandemic is greater than you. It is a threat to your life. You have no answer, and a solution escapes you. The virus is no greater than Pharaoh’s army. We need only to hear our leaders and follow their directions. Our leaders must put the problem in the hands of the Lord. If we stand still the Lord can open the seas and save us from the army of the virus that threatens our lives. Stand Still. Let God do His work.