Between a Rock and Hard Place
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
Have you ever found life has you between a rock and a hard place? When Pharaoh finally released the Israelites, they quickly found themselves in this predicament. God led them to make camp between the Red Sea and the wilderness. When Pharaoh soon changed his mind and pursued them, they were caught with no way to escape.
They panicked, What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?' It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!’ (Exodus 14:12).
Fear was talking. They knew all God had done to rescue them, yet they wanted to go back to oppression. What looked like a dead end was the perfect setup for God to accomplish something much bigger than just rescuing His people. Something with eternal significance for all people who would hear about God’s might and trustworthiness for generation after generation.
A preacher once imagined that he walked into the library in heaven, and Jesus led him to volumes with his name on them. “What are these books, Lord? All the things I did on earth?” Jesus answered, “Those are the things I wanted to accomplish with you on earth. What you accomplished is on this pamphlet.”
God wants to work through us. I wonder how often we hold back because of fear. We believe lies, “I can’t do that. I’m not strong enough. I’m afraid. I would rather stay in pain because it’s what I know.” Satan wants nothing more than to make us helpless and afraid. Then we aren’t influencing others for Jesus and only filling a pamphlet of good works.
Are you between a rock and a hard place? Has God rescued you, but you wish to go back? I encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus and not on the dead end. Be brave and not ruled by fear. Step out in faith and obedience. Allow God to use you to affect this generation for eternity.
Johna Clemons
