Devotional | Oakley Winters | Sep 18, 2022

Do Not Be Afraid

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Do Not Be Afraid

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.” Exodus 14:13-14

Devotion

Growing up, my family loved watching the Indiana Jones movies. Because we’re both afraid of snakes, I’d like to think Indiana Jones and I are pretty much the same person. In the third movie, there’s one scene in particular where Indiana Jones must take a leap of faith off the edge of a cliff. While there is a bridge that connects his side of the cliff to the other, it only becomes visible after he takes that first step of faith. Once he finally steps out, his foot is met with the security of the bridge, and he makes it safely to the other side. It’s a triumphant moment that was only made possible by an act of faith. 

This scene reminds me of the events that take place in Exodus 14. 

God has brought the Israelite people out of slavery in Egypt and is guiding them to the Promised Land. There’s just one small problem… They barely make it to the edge of the Red Sea before Pharaoh changes his mind and starts to chase them down. Naturally, the Israelite people are terrified. They begin to cry out against Moses, God’s servant, saying they should’ve never even left Egypt. 

It was in this moment that Moses stands before God’s people and delivers the best motivational speech of all time: 

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

Moses had faith in God and his promised deliverance. He was reminding the Israelites that what God begins, he will see through to the end. No king or people group is a match for our God, and his name will be glorified. In the midst of their terror, Moses encouraged the Israelites to have faith in the power of their Redeemer. They must have faith to move forward through the parted Red Seas when God provides a way for them. They must have faith to trust he will put the waters back in their rightful place to keep the Egyptians from overtaking them. They must have faith in a God that turns the impossible possible. 

What encouragement this is for us today! Even when everything around us seems to be falling apart and we can’t imagine how anything good could come from our present circumstances, God still moves, still provides, and still makes a way for his name to be honored and glorified. We are called to trust in God, even when we can’t understand what he is doing, and have faith that he will redeem. Find comfort in knowing you are loved and cared for by your Father who already secured the victory! 


PRAYER

Father, 

Help me to look to you when everything around me seems to be crumbling and trust in your consistent faithfulness to provide. I want to see you as my Shepherd, Protector, and Friend. Regardless of the season of life I am in, show me that you will fight for me; all I am called to do is be still. 

In Jesus’ powerful name I pray, 

Amen 

Oakley Alva

Oakley Alva is the Women’s Director for Young Adult Ministries at Crossings Community Church. She is devoted to helping young adults in their 20’s and 30’s connect more deeply with Jesus and the community around them. 


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