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Just Before

September 23, 2020

Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash

“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Exodus 14:14 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/exo.14.14.NLT

I have come to understand in the human experience there are the “Just before” moments that tend to call into question everything that is about to happen:

Just before the wedding, a nervous bride or groom thinks or says “should I really be doing this?”
Just before opening or expanding a ministry or business, there can be a wave of sabotaging thoughts or discussion to create waves of doubt.
Just before a major victory, the temptation to give up and go back to where you came from.

God has a very clear word for us during these times: The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.

This verse is spoken by Moses to the Israelites after they have left Egypt as slaves, started a life of freedom, only to be pursued by their oppressors while they are trapped up against the Red Sea. They have nowhere to go. Some want to return to captivity. They are scared. This freedom is brand new for many of them. It seems as if they are doomed.

What a physical, emotional and spiritual roller coaster is part of their experience of being freed by God to a new life. God gives them a very clear reminder that He completely delivers on by letting everyone know that He will fight for them. Their job is to stay calm. God’s next move… part the Red Sea for everyone to walk across on dry ground!

Encouragement: Are you up against some “Just before” situations? You don’t see a way out, you want to turn back, but the right thing to do is to stay calm and let God lead. My dad left me a phrase on my desk when I started in leadership at Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center: Don’t quit 5 minutes before the miracle! Stay calm and let God lead. He will fight for you.

Prayer: Dear Father God, thank you for fighting for us. When we are against those “Just Before” situations, may we follow your words of truth about staying calm and watching You fight for us. In Jesus name we pray this today. Amen.

-Ed McDowell, Executive Director,
Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center

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