Root Words

RW | Letting God Lead – Exodus 13:17-21

YouTube player

In Exodus 13:17, we are told of God “leading” Israel and this was their first experience of being led by God. He gave them three things to go on:

  1. Vs. 19 He would lead them by faith: Joseph’s bones were a testimony of one man’s trust in God’s promises above what he could figure out with his mind or see with his natural eyes.
  2. Vs. 20 He would lead them step by step: We all like to have every bit of information we can get before we make a commitment to go, but God does not tell us everything. Instead, He leads us to where it is best for us not based upon what we see but rather based upon Who He is.
  3. Vs. 21 He would lead them by His presence: Today we don’t have a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night directing our every move. No, we have something much better: the “sure Word of God”. Ps. 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

Ah but when we allow God to lead, sooner or later you are going to find yourself in a situation where it looks as though God’s ways and God’s Word was wrong. It is here that you have your first of many crises of faith and Moses in Exodus 14:13-14 gives us four clear instructions as to how to handle the crisis of doubt and unbelief:

  1. Do not be afraid”: Fear will either energize us or paralyze us but either way it will be destructive. So the first thing Moses tells them is not to react but instead respond. Don’t give in to the desire to react to fear. The “how” of your response will only be right as far as you have dealt with the rationale of “why” you are responding that way. 
  2. Stand still”: This is the Lord’s answer to those in a crisis of faith. Fear will demand that you retreat or advance, impatience will tell you to do it now, presumption will tell you to do what is right before it is time, but faith says, “stand and while you’re standing be still!” All God ever wants us to do in Christ during difficult times is to “stand” on His victory. That’s what Moses tells them in verse 14, “The Lord will fight for you,..” The battle belongs to the Lord!
  3. Look up”: Here was the one thing they were to do: see the salvation of the Lord. In the original Hebrew language, the word “salvation” is the equivalent for the name of Jesus, and the word “Lord” here is the word “Jehovah”. So this sentence says “See the Jesus of God.”When you are struggling, look to Jesus, stand in His victory, and allow Him to give you His peace.
  4. Be quiet”: Here he tells them not to complain about their troubles. Before they are ever to take a step the first thing they are to do is shut their mouths. How many times have we talked ourselves out of trusting in God by our own complaining?  

Blessings,

Pastor Dale