Stand Firm—Don’t Retreat
05/30/2022
Escaping the hands of Pharaoh after years of slavery the Israelites found themselves in great distress once again as they saw Pharaoh and his army pursuing them as they were pursuing freedom. They stood there at the Red Sea not focusing on the promise on the other side, but rather the problem of slavery that was refusing to let them go. They were not looking at the possible, but rather the impossible looking situation. Rather than stand in faith they wanted to retreat because to them it was easier to live in the problem rather than stand for the promise. The past screamed louder than their future in that moment. Fear was bigger than their faith. However, God did not bring them that far to fail them. Moses told the Israelites who were crying out in fear, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14)
I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but stand firm, don’t retreat and just be silent! God is fighting for you! God has not brought you to this day to fail you. He has warring angles fighting for you. Heaven’s headquarters is operating 24/7 on your behalf. He is working everything out for your good (Romans 8:28). He wants you to be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10). He wants you to know “By My Spirit, I will deliver you from the enemy that is pursuing you and soon you will see the enemy no more.” (Zechariah 4:6, Exodus 14:13) The situation before you may look impossible, but nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). The situation may be shouting it is easier to let go rather than hang on. It may be screaming run back to what was rather than look forward to what lies ahead. It may be yelling God lied to you and He will never come through for you. The enemy is a liar, a deceiver, and enjoys locking God’s people in prisons to lies, discouragement, depression, and feelings of defeat. Let me remind you though that God is not a man that shall lie or change His mind (Numbers 23:19).
What is on the other side of your Red Sea? Is it a miracle of physical healing? Is it the salvation of a loved one? Is it the return of a prodigal loved one? Is it the restoration of your marriage and reconciliation of your family?
Is it deliverance from prescription medication or any other drugs or alcohol? Is it the ministry you were anointed for when God first put you in your mother’s womb? Is it recompense for all you had to go through? What is the promise on the other side of the Red Sea that the enemy has been contending against?
Whatever it is, it is a threat to the enemy or else he would not be trying to surround you and get you to retreat in fear. Whatever God led you to this Red Sea moment for is what the enemy fears you will see and have in the land of the living. So, stand my brother and sister in Christ. Stand firm! Don’t retreat! You will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13)!
I sense many of you are standing on the verge of a Red Sea miracle moment and there is a promise from God on the other side of your stance of faith. The enemy would love to see you give up, let go, return to being an emotional slave to the pain, disappointment, failures, mistakes, sin, sickness, and familiarity of the past, but God did not bring you this far to send you back. There is a promise of the future you hope for on the other side (Jeremiah 29:11). The enemy knows your best days are ahead of you. He knows you are on the brink of your breakthrough, cross-over, healing, restoration, and miracle. Therefore, stand firm, don’t retreat, and be silent! The Promise Keeper will deliver you to your promise and deliver you from the enemy of your promise! Imminently you shall see the salvation of the Lord! You shall sing, “For He has triumphed gloriously!” (Exodus 15:1-18)
