By Steve Horn
In Exodus 14, we read of God’s salvation of Israel as they left Egypt. In leaving Egypt, God gave them a specific route to take. Someone said of this route that it was the least likely route to take. However, this was the right route because it was the route that God told them to take. God gave them the provision of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
God’s plan and provision doesn’t prevent Pharaoh from pursuing Israel, and the panic that sets in on the people of Israel. In fact, their panic leads them to irrationally conclude that they would have been better off to stay in Egypt as slaves. Panic does that to us.
But even in their panic, God continues to provide and ultimately protects them through a miraculous deliverance at the Sea.
In all of this, we see God’s ultimate plan—both Egypt and Israel get a first-hand glimpse that God is the Lord.
So, why do we have difficulty following God?
Following God requires trust—total trust! Sometimes this can leave us in panic.
Following God does not eliminate tough times. Sometimes this can leave us in panic.
Following God does not take into account God’s ultimate plan. Sometimes this can leave us in panic when we only look at the immediate plan.
So, trust Him today. I love Isaiah 40:31. It’s a “go to” verse:
“But those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.”
Steve Horn is pastor of First Baptist Church in Lafayette and a past president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. This editorial first appeared on Horn’s blog.
