Over the last 18 months or so, COVID time, we all have been wrestling with God over many things. Fear, anxiety, masks, mandates, vaccines, violence, division, non believing loved ones, isolate or not isolate, and the list goes on. And on. It’s been quite the stormy season for us all, no doubt. Through it all though, I keep coming back to the same starting point: what is God saying during this time?
A few months ago, I experienced a COVID fatigue that took a toll. Like many of you have. It wore me down, wearied my heart. I was worn. Add to that the many burdens of heartbreak all around me and it would be easy to slip into a hole and never surface again. Just go into hiding and wait like a groundhog to emerge when spring sunshine appears. But I was afforded good conversations, with wise loving people, and continued to stay above ground.
I found myself drawn to Exodus Chapter 14. I wanted to understand more of the Israelites fears whilst being chased out of Egypt. So I dug in.
In Exodus 14, wicked King Pharaoh is pursuing the Israelites to enslave them. This meant the majority would die under his brutal rule. Or at the very least, be terrorized by bondage in a tumultuous Egypt. He bolstered his army to hunt them down. As they approach a body of uncrossable water, the Red Sea, they are utterly terror-struck by Pharaohs army. They are frantic. They are crying out to God in desperation. They see no way out. Remember how they got here?
Moses had been leading them out of the wicked land…but not without too many grumblings for leading them into this apparent death trap.
So, back to the situation at the shoreline of the Red Sea. Moses was a voice for God. And Moses heard a good word that chaotic day which he shared with the people: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.” Exodus 14:13-14.
So there you have it, the instructions were abundantly clear. 1. Do not be afraid. 2. Stand firm. 3. Be quiet.
Now you probably know the rest of the story…the good part. God instructs Moses to touch the sea with his staff and it will split in two leaving a dry passageway, which it did. God tells the Israelites to move forward, through the slim dry path wedged between walls of water, and they do. They turn around to check and see how far away the Egyptian soldiers were, and Moses again touches the water with his staff. The sea crashes over the enemy troops with a violent force and the Egyptian armies die, taken captive by the waves. Ironic isn't it.
As the Israelites watched, the great power of the Lord was witnessed. The people fell reverent with fear and believed in Him, and in the servant Moses. I can only imagine how the Israelites must have felt in that moment, that all their frantic anxiety and fear was pointless - God did the impossible, hard work, and they were kept safe.
Their fear went from terror of the enemy, to reverent fear of the Lord. From chaotic fear, to wise fear.
While picturing this amazing event, I started to sense a message. It caused me to examine my own fears and anxieties and see how might I apply this story to my own. Here is what I learned: Fear in the middle of difficulty can either bear fruit, or it can cut off life to the tree. Fear that sets -me-forward-to-praying is good. Fear that stumbles my faith and draws me back from hope is not.
Fearing and respecting the power of the Lord is healthy, fearing and fretting the enemy is not.
We see another example, similar to the Red Sea advice, in 2 Chronicles 20:15-17. A prophet tells King Jehoshaphat and all the people, as they appear to be outnumbered by enemies ready to attack them, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours but God's...position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." And King Jehoshaphat and his city obeyed, and saw great victory that day.
Being quiet in this context meant keeping a calm, cool head when faced with a troubling or threatening situation. It is not placing confidence that we can save ourselves by fleeing or fighting, but composing ourselves with entire confidence in a God who saves. When we have work to do, (and as Christians, we have work to do) then we must do the next forward thing without freezing in oppressive panic or fleeing our faith. We must mind our Kingdom business, and leave the rest to God. Use our means, trust Him with the details. It is for our best when in trouble, to get out above our fear and see things with a biblical lens. There our prayers will be quickened, our hope ignited. If we are frozen in panic, we are not positioned to move in obedience.
A calm spirit is best positioned to hear God and obey.
Now, I can apply this to current times and my own anxiety. I will narrow it down to COVID specifically. Because there are far too many things it could cover. But COVID, getting sick and being hospitalized, on a ventilator and not being able to breathe…those are all very real fears today. If I am being totally honest, I would say those thoughts can cause me to be panic-stricken, like the Israelites. Though their danger was an even a more realistic, immediate threat.
Applying what I’ve learned I realize first that feelings of panic are just that- feelings. They are not always trustworthy markers on which I should base my security. Yes, fear can alert us to a potential danger, get our reactive responses fired up. But it cannot be our steady state. It must bring about a response, and even remaining calm is a response. The Israelites had very strong feelings of fear and hopelessness, and Moses instructed them to basically “get a hold of yourselves and pay attention. Focus people. God is going to do something in a minute and y'all need to saddle up.” So that reality check is a good place to start.
Being quiet in the danger means I am going to rise above my fear and cool my head, calm my self, take hold of my thoughts. Be positioned to hear and obey. Remember a powerful God is in control and wants to teach me something. We are well served to not become slaves to our imaginations. We are to stay focused on the task at hand.
Moving forward means staying in line with the work I am set to do. Ministry. Sharing the gospel, meeting people, mentoring others, being salt and light, praising Him, pointing others to Jesus. Making disciples. That is the work we are to be about. So what is the next forward move in doing that?
Using the means I have…for me, safety precautions including vaccine, masks when appropriate and of course good hygiene. All are means God has offered me to use to enhance safety of myself and those around me. So these I do. It also means being wise in selecting what situations I place myself in. I am allowed to avoid crowded areas or closed areas. It does not mean I don’t trust God; it means I am maintaining a calm spirit and have discernment over my next forward move.
Trusting God…If I can trust God with the outcome of my salvation, why in the world is it so difficult to trust Him with the in-between details? So yes, while it is possible I can get sick, and not be able to breathe, the real lesson is trusting that God -even in that horrible moment- will bring me out of it just like He did the Israelites. In a manner He sees fit. It is having entire confidence in God. COVID may be our Red Sea. The illness may look grim to us but in the end, we either end up recovering and healed, or He takes us home. And both shall be celebrated.
God is undoubtably teaching us something during this time. It is unavoidable to see so much ruin around us and not realize God is up to something epic. A Great Refining is taking place my friends. He is sifting His bride and separating us from those who deny Him. Forcing us to dig deeper into the word and rely on the promises we know.
It is my prayer we don’t miss it.
Don’t miss an opportunity to remain cool headed, listen for His instructions, continue moving ahead, having holy confidence in His plan. Stay the course, finish well, carry the gospel with loud praise.
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Positioned low
in this
dry valley
there lies an enemy,
in the wait
called disease
and violence
and sickness
and division
many names are the
dark face
coming to devour all.
Terror will freeze —
some will run
some will hide
some will fight.
Out the of the night though
comes a strong voice
saying “Trust me!”
He promises to fight
for us
He longs for us to
believe Him
so He battles and plunders
and slays them all
with might and power
and a raging sea.
Safety is ours He guarantees!
As terror of the enemy
goes quietly to sleep
a reverent fear of Him
grows in me.
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