This is a last minute post before leaving for England for three weeks. I'm hoping to keep posting from there! Blessings, Belinda

Role Playing or Reality?

Exodus 14:12-14 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
12 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!"
13 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. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Interestingly the next verse indicates:

Exodus 14:15 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.

There are probably many other wise explanations for why this happened but to me this morning, it is a reminder of the critical need to listen to God.

The direction that Moses gave to the Israelites sounds wise and sensible. How could it be wrong to "Be still," something that would have been hard with the Egyptian army bearing down upon them.

Moses' advice was good, and pointed them to trust in God, but he hadn't listened to God yet, whose direction, when he did, was to, "Move on."

This reminds me of the danger and temptation of "going it alone" or "winging it" spiritually at any point. We cannot assume to know God's plan, but we can be sure he has one. We need to ask him what it is and listen.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I can so easily fall into exactly the same mistake that Moses seems to have made - following your ways in principle, but not consulting the "Way Giver." There's a choice here - role playing or reality - in my relationship with you. I choose reality. I choose to listen. Help me to remember that there's a difference.

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