Read: Exodus 14:5-22

The Israelites were leaving slavery and Egypt behind, but now they were trapped. When they looked behind, a cloud of dust was moving their way, and in that dust was Pharaoh’s army. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (Exod. 14:8) and as a result, he sent his armies after Moses and the people of Israel. As the Egyptian army approached the Israelites, all seemed lost. The Israelites were trapped between the great Egyptian army and the sea of water. In panic, they cried out to both Moses and God.

Moses said to them, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exod. 14:13). And God told them, “Go forward” (Exod. 14:15). In fact, both these commands were from God and right. First, the people had to “stand still” or “firm” long enough to get the instructions from God. What if they had rushed in panic into the Red Sea without consulting with the Lord? In standing still, they heard God’s directions, which included what they were to do, and what Moses was to do. They had to move on, and Moses had to lift up his rod, stretch out his hand over the sea in obedience and God would part the waters.

Do you feel trapped by your circumstances? Then stand still. Take time to consult with the Lord and His Word. Seek His directions. Using His instructions, move forward and may God guide you. Even if situations and circumstances in life may be so dark, God will direct us in all we do if we take time to pray it through.