“And when the Israelites saw the great power of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”

Exodus 14:31
Back in middle school, a kid called out to me from across the foyer. He’d been to juvenile court where he appeared before my father, the judge. Apparently, my classmate wasn’t thrilled about how things went for him. So he decided to take it out on me. I panicked. Before I could even decide what to do, my friend went and spoke to him. Was I ever relieved when he backed off!

The Israelites thought they were headed for a safe place when they left Egypt. But with Pharaoh’s army close behind and the Red Sea before them, they were terrified. Then God came down and miraculously preserved them. Even more than a battle of flesh, this was a spiritual battle.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, … against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (6:12). The battle has been won! Jesus triumphed over our enemies at the cross (see Colossians 2:15), coming down to intervene for us as only the truest friend would do.



Scripture Focus

Exodus 14:21-31

Insight

“When your enemy presses in hard, do not fear./ The battle belongs to the Lord./ Take courage, my friend, your redemption is near./ The battle belongs to the Lord.” (Jamie Owens-Collins, 1985)

Bible In A Year

  • Daniel 7-8
  • Proverbs 8
  • Hebrews 11

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