Have you ever been under pressure? Pressure to perform, to succeed, to be a good parent or a good spouse? How about pressure to please everyone?
Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV) tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” If we try to figure out every situation, the enemy will bombard our mind with pressure. We can’t do it on our own.
Moses, the Israelites’ deliverer from slavery, repeatedly faced pressure. The Egyptians let the children of Israel go. Then Pharaoh changed his mind, chased them, and caught up with them while they were camped by the Red Sea. When the Israelites saw the Egyptians coming, they panicked. (See Exodus 14:5–10.)
When Under Pressure, Watch What You Say
We know the end of the story, but at that moment the Israelites didn’t. And they didn’t handle the pressure well. They turned on Moses and said,
EXODUS 14:11–12 (NLT)
11 “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?
12 “Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’ ”
We can say things under pressure that 15 minutes later we wish we hadn’t said.
No Matter What, Stay Calm
In the middle of all hell breaking loose, Moses tried to reassure the people.
Too often when we face trouble, we stop and want to tell everybody about our problem. And we get stuck in our situation. But God is saying, “Don’t stand still. Keep moving.”
EXODUS 14:13–14 (NLT)
13 “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.
14 “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Jesus is in the peace-giving business today. Regardless of what’s happening, we can look to Him and find peace.
What You Need Is in You
EXODUS 14:15 (NLT)
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!”
Have you ever cried out to God, and He said, “Why are you talking to me about that? I already did what I needed to do. My Son died a criminal’s death that He didn’t deserve. He went to the cross. He went to the grave. Three days later, he came out with victory in His hands. And the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you. So get moving!”
Too often when we face trouble, we stop and want to tell everybody about our problem. And we get stuck in our situation. But God is saying, “Don’t stand still. Keep moving.”
Do Whatever God Says
Can you imagine the sound of an army of chariots coming after you? Think of the pressure Moses must have felt. What was he to do? Then God said,
EXODUS 14:16 (NLT)
16 “Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.”
Moses obeyed God and the Israelites made it safely across the Red Sea on dry ground. I’m from Louisiana. I’ve gone mud-bogging, and I got stuck every time. But when God parted the Red Sea, the Israelites didn’t even get dirt on their shoes. That’s a miracle right there!
After all the Israelites were safe, Moses raised his hand again, the water crashed down on the Egyptians, and none of them survived.
If the enemy has been chasing you, God will do what only He can do. He’ll get you to the other side of your situation and destroy every foul enemy that has been chasing you.
God has promised you healing, strength, peace, and whatever else you need. As you trust His promises, He will relieve the pressure and bring you to victory.
Author
Matt Shearin
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