22/01/2023
January 22, 2023
Bible Reading: Exodus 13–15
Precepts and Promises for Problems
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord … for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.”
Exodus 14:13
THE Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea. Mountains were on the north and south, the Red Sea was on the east, and Pharaoh and his army were on the west. The Israelites thought the end had come. But it was not the end. Israel had not come to this place through disobedience but had been led this way by God. And when you follow the Lord in obedience and come to these back-to-the-wall situations, you can count on God for deliverance. In our verse for today are the precepts and the promises for deliverance.
Precepts for deliverance. The precepts for deliverance came before the promises of deliverance. We like the promises better than the precepts. But we had better attend to the precepts if we want to realize the promises. Two precepts are given for deliverance. First, “Fear ye not.” This not an easy command, for Israel had much to fear in this situation. Yet they were to quit fearing. They were to let the peace of God rule their hearts. When God comes on the scene, we can indeed stop our fearing. But when we leave God out, we only encourage fear. Second, “Stand still.” How hard it is to stand still especially when trouble surrounds us. But we need to stand still to hear God. If the Israelites had run around they would not have been able to be organized to march across the Red Sea.
Promises for deliverance. The promises would encourage obedience to the precepts. Two promises were given. First, “See the salvation of the Lord.” What a wonderful promise. It is a promise that comes to the obedient. God does not forsake His own. When we follow His leading, He will deliver us from our problems and troubles. Second, “The Egyptians, whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.” This was also a wonderful promise and was fulfilled when Pharaoh and his army drowned in the Red Sea. The Israelites never saw them again after that day. Divine deliverances are great deliverances.
