This sermon began by exploring the extreme popularity of the story of the parting of the Red Sea. I was struck by how great it would have been to be one of those Israelites following Moses. How amazing it would have been to see the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, and know without a shadow of a doubt that God was with you! But then, as soon as the Israelites saw the Egyptians chasing them, they began to doubt God's presence. They complained to him, and wished that they were back in Egypt.
This made me wonder, how quickly do I turn on God. Certainly, there have been moments in my life when I have known beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was with me. But, there have also been moments when I struggle to find God in the midst of my troubles. How do we maintain that faith in the hard times?
Moses responds to the people's complaints with these words...
"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 14:13-4)
I learned in my resarch on this passage that the word "still" means both not moving and being silent. I realized in crisis moments that the one piece of advice most people give you is, "don't panic!" It is a difficult, but important concept, because in panic mode, we often say things we regret. If we are able instead, to "be still," we can often regain our focus, and listen again to what God is saying and where God is leading.
My prayer for you this week is that in your moments of crisis and panic, you will be able to be still and listen for God's voice.
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2 comments:
zPastor Becky, thanks for creating this blog - great idea to start interaction.
thanks for the sermon on the RedSea. i'm sure I've heard the story a thousand times, but it hit home on Sunday. so simple, not sure why i've never seen the powerful metaphor, fears surrounding from the past and future and overwhelmed by the present and protected by God's protection at the same time. had a couple of such moments today.
also, found a very interesting youtube on the Red Sea crossing site, i think this is the link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaN2acVMGC8 or you can search "red sea crossing" and it's titled Revealing God's Treasure:Red Sea Crossing. 26:53 mins long.
Israel at that point of time was much like America today; dwelling back in the 'good old days'. Hindsight is 20/20 in a rose colored mirror(metaphor mixology)! We believe that the world is "the house" and the house always wins. So we take the safe bet on the "knowns" of slavery rather than risk it all on the "unknowns" of freedom. Woot, woot; a methodist gambling metaphor!
We must also recognize the role of Moses as leader in this impass. Between the chariots of Pharoah and the Red Sea they stood. Before the sea parted, any sane person would have run, but Moses as their shepherd loaned them not only his courage but his faith.
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