“Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today ” (Exodus 14:13).
Have you ever been trapped between panic and power?
The Israelites found themselves in a situation like that. They came to a fork in the road where they could either remain slaves or believe in the power of God to save them. While looking back at the enemy chasing them, all they could do was panic and blame Moses for leading them astray. But by this time, Moses had gained enough confidence in God to come through for him and to save and deliver them through the parting of the red sea. God parted the sea proving to them that he had the power to save and rescue them from their enemies who were pursuing them.
Moses prayed a powerful prayer when he raised his staff and declared the sea to part and then again to declare the water in the sea to come back upon the enemy. This was a miraculous sign that our God is powerful to protect and save those who trust and believe in Him.
“The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14 NKJV)
We see this same power demonstrated throughout the Word of God. Daniel trusted God to deliver him out of the lion’s den. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abendago trusted Him To deliver them out of the fiery furnace. There are many more accounts of God’s miraculous power throughout the Old and New Testaments that changed lives and proved his faithfulness!
What do you do when you find yourself in the fire?
Do You panic when faced with a fork in the road, or do you trust in the power and purpose of God?
Do you trust God in the situations and circumstances you are facing?
We see in these accounts in God’s word that the Israelites could have remained enslaved or taken a chance on trusting God even when the obstacles they faced were self-imposed or circumstantial. GOD PARTED THE RED SEA!
In the book of Daniel, we see the account of Daniel facing his fork in the road, whether to bow to the king of the culture or get thrown into the lion’s den. He chose God and prayed anyway when he was not supposed to. After the King threw Daniel in the lion’s den, he had a sleepless night; he panicked and didn’t show faith in God. And Daniel, well, he slept like a baby right among the lions. God had sent an angel to shut the mouth of the lions. Daniel did not have a mark on him. When the king found him, he was praising God. GOD SHUT THE MOUTH OF THE LIONS!
Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 faced their fork in the road by not bowing to the king. They faced a painful death by being thrown into the fiery furnace, but they were committed to their faith and did not bow. As the king watched, he was surprised to see not three but four men in the fire. God was faithful to deliver them out of the fire and showed the king that the fourth man was non-other than the Son of God. When faith and trust are in God, He will always show up as another one in the fires of our life. THERE WAS A FOURTH MAN IN THE FIRE!
Have you faced obstacles and forks in your journey?
I’m reminded of an insecure and intimidating situation I was in several years ago, leading worship at a walk to Emmaus retreat. I had never been a worship leader and rarely sung in front of anyone. The insecurities and intimidation I felt got the best of me, and all I wanted to do was quit and run. I remember going to my mother’s room, who was also attending the retreat; I curled beside her and cried like a baby. But I’ll never forget something my mother told me that day: “Just remember that Jesus is always standing beside you and remember you are His daughter; you have nothing to fear.” I did just that. I began to picture Jesus standing beside me, and the peace and calm over me was overwhelmingly comforting. I learned to entrust Him and His ability to infuse me with His power and flow through me in my inability, it was a beautiful experience.
I have faced many forks in the road in my life, some in which I panicked and some in which I trusted God’s miraculous power. Each time regardless of the outcome, I now know with experimental knowledge, I will never be alone.
I am reminded of the one who died for me, who holds back the sea, shuts the mouth of the lion, and is always the fourth man in the fire of any situation or circumstance in my life.
I hope you are encouraged to trust that you are never alone and God is in any battle or fork in your road standing with you. YOU CAN TRUST GOD TO FIGHT EVERY BATTLE!
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah41:10
PRAYER: Lord, teach us to trust You, like those You have modeled in Your Word who lived faithful lives and have put their total trust in Your plan and purpose. Help us to refuse to cave into the pressures of the culture we live in. Give us the courage to acknowledge Your sovereignty and power to protect, provide, and infuse us with purpose as we give God all the Glory! Glory to God!
