“By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29).
One year for my birthday, I decided that instead of my husband getting me a present, we could all go to a new marina in town and have a day with fish, seals, and dolphins. At the time, our money was a little tight, and this place was priced over our budget, but since it was my birthday I felt justified to splurge on my family. It would be such a fun experience for everyone. . . or so I thought! My eleven-year-old son happened to be in a horrible mood that day and spent the whole day complaining about everything and picking fights with his little sister.
All of us have experienced times when someone (or several people) around us are complaining about everything and turning a positive atmosphere to a negative one. This sums up what Moses constantly faced after he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Even though they witnessed the ten plagues, saw the death angel pass over their homes and spare their family members, experienced the Egyptians voluntarily giving expensive gifts for the Israelites’ journey, and were supernaturally led by a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night - yet when the Egyptian soldiers pursued them, they accused Moses of bringing them out of Egypt to die at the hands of their enemy.
Despite their whining and feeling they were trapped between a violent enemy army and the Red Sea, Moses responded in faith. “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 14:14). He did not give in to the lack of faith all around him. Rather, he stood firm in God’s promise to deliver them.
God’s promises never fail. Stand firm in His Word and in the leading He gives you; in faith, speak out against the complaining and doubting around you. Whether negative words are coming from friends, family, classmates, co-workers, the media, or Satan, reject these doubts in prayer, and speak out against them to those around you. As we take a stand, our faith will increase. And sometimes we help to instill faith in those around us and bring a positive change to a negative atmosphere.
Today’s Bible Reading: Exodus 14
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