“Marco”… “Polo”…
Do you remember playing the game Marco Polo as a kid? It was especially fun in the pool, she said a little sarcastically. I’ve even heard it yelled in stores when mamas or kiddos are looking for each other. This may seem like a weird way to begin but hang in there with me. It’ll all make sense in a minute.
As I was praying about what to share this week, I felt to go to Exodus and read about when the Israelites left Egypt. I believe God wants to encourage us today with His Word and His heart for us.
In Exodus 12:31-36 Pharaoh tells Moses and Aaron to take Israel and go! So they gather livestock, gold and silver articles and clothing from the Egyptians. They also took their unleavened dough by wrapping the bread troughs in clothing and carrying them on their shoulders.
So we have about six hundred thousand men with women, children, animals, all the loot they plundered and their bread dough schlepping their way to the Red Sea.
Then in Exodus 14 the Pharaoh and Egyptians changed their minds and went after Israel. Israel freaks out seeing the Egyptian army marching towards them and they turn on Moses. Panic and Fear. Those two will make you lose your mind and forget the promises of God! Moses tells Israel in verses 13&14:
“Moses answered the people,
‘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.’” (italics mine
GOD is fighting for us. All He is asking of us is to not be afraid, to stand firm, and to be still. Peace and Trust. Those two will keep you strong in the middle of the fight.
I chuckled at verse 15 when God said: “…Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”
We can get stuck in our fear. Like a deer in headlights. MOVE ON! What is it we need to do? Moses had to hold his staff over the sea all night long to part the water. The Israelites had to walk through the parted sea for 12 miles with all their stuff whilst seeing the billowing waves of the sea held back by a strong east wind.
I have no idea what fish live in the Red Sea but the dramatic side of me envisions Sharks and Whales and Dolphins. OK, I looked it up and yes, there are Sharks, Stingrays, Mantas and all kind of fish including the Clownfish. :)
BUT can you picture it?! Slaves are not only walking free with all kinds of stuff they never had before and they’re seeing God move a whole sea so they can walk on dry land and then seeing all those sea creatures!?!?! Man! God is so great and amazing!
But here’s the part I really feel that God wanted me to tell you…and me! I needed this too! verses 19&20:
“Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army,
withdrew and went behind them.
The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,
coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel.
Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to one side and light to the other side;
so neither went near the other all night.”
There is comfort looking up and seeing the cloud. We love those times in our lives when we know God is with us and we can feel His presence.
But what about those times we are asked to not be afraid, to stand firm, be still and move on. So, we walk onto the sandy, rocky path through a sea teeming with fish we’ve never seen before for 12 miles with an army barreling down on us. OR we have to face a diagnosis. OR we have to grieve a loss. OR we have to send our kids into their next chapter without us. OR we are living a life we never asked for. OR whatever you are facing_____________!
Do we believe that God is still there? Do we believe and trust that He is behind us stopping the army from taking us out from behind?
When we yell “Marco” we hear God yell “Polo” from behind us.
We find out that He’s been there all along. He never left us.
He is fighting for us! He will defeat that army.
So, beloved of God, don’t be afraid, stand firm, be still and move on! God is with you and if you don’t see the cloud look behind you and yell “Marco”. He’s there!
Have the most amazing week!
All My Love,
~ Jodi
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