Finding Freedom: How God Leads From Rescue to Restنموونە

Day 4: Moving On

Our action-packed story continues today!

Let’s recap: the Israelites had just been freed from slavery by God’s mighty hand. He had performed miracles and wonders to secure their release. But just as they began their journey out of Egypt, Pharaoh changed his mind and launched a pursuit. The Israelites, tasting freedom for barely a moment, suddenly faced the threat of returning to bondage.

Understandably, they panicked. Even though they had witnessed God's power, fear took over. Courage collapsed. Hope vanished. And just like that, they turned to complaining:

READ

Exodus 14:10–12 (NLT)

As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “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? 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!” Exodus 14:10-12

REFLECT

• What was the outlook of the people in their panic?
• Why couldn’t they imagine anything but captivity or death?
• What had they forgotten about who God is and what He had already done?

Before their journey had even taken them across the Red Sea, they were ready to give in to fear and let despair overtake them. Who could blame them, though? Their story hadn’t been one that was easy. However, the Lord had shown His greatness. He rescued them from slavery, saving a multitude of Israelites from years of torture and even death. Yet, when a new trial arose, they took their eyes off their rescuer.

Sound familiar? How often are we like this?

We assume that if the road to freedom is hard, it must be the wrong road. We let fear tell us that freedom was a fluke and that failure is inevitable. We forget that God is fighting for us, even when the enemy is bearing down. But God understands our weakness. He is not poised to condemn us, but to encourage us.

To Israel, He said: (Exodus 14:13–14 )

“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. . . The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Then God says something surprising.

READ

Exodus 14:15-18

15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

REFLECT

• Why did God allow the Egyptians to pursue them again?
• How did that trial become part of Israel’s transformation and testimony?
• How did their obedience honor God?
• How do you see God’s power and Israel’s response working together?
• What does this teach you about God’s power and your part in His rescue?

The command wasn’t just to stand still—it was also to move on.

There’s a time to wait and a time to walk. But whether in fear or hopelessness, we can miss the freeing work of God because we refuse to “move on” when the circumstances are right. Israel was fearful, hopeless, and looking backwards, but they were also bound by the expectation of how they only imagined freedom should come.

We often imagine that freedom should be easy. But freedom that glorifies God usually comes through places where we must depend on Him, obey Him, and move forward in faith even when it feels risky. Trials are not proof that God is not able or willing to rescue; rather they are opportunities to demonstrate that we are ready and willing to depend on God.

Freedom can also be painful. It can cause pain and fear to look at the hurt and the bondage that we are carrying. When we face the hard things in life, we are fortunate that we don’t face these alone. We have a God who goes before us. So risky or painful, or both, trusting God is the only way to go forward.

The Israelites were afraid, but they did walk forward. And the sea split. God made a way for that forward progress. He is asking you to trust Him to split the sea before you.

So ask yourself:

• When have you seen God at work through an obstacle?
• How did it reveal His power and glory to you or others?
• Where are you stuck, looking back at your chains instead of walking forward in freedom?
• What next step forward do you need to take?

In our human weakness, we can be quick to catch a glimpse of trouble and forget that the God who created the heavens and the earth is fighting for us. The God who frees captives. The God who cut a highway through the sea in the sight of all His people. The God who suffered and died on the cross so He could conquer death— for us.

God is fighting for you.

He has already won your greatest battle through Jesus. The cross proves it. But walking in freedom requires that we move on from fear, bitterness, shame, or anything else that keeps us stuck in slavery.

Today, thank God in faith.

• Thank Him for the battle He’s already won.
• Confess where you've panicked, blamed, or stalled.
• Ask Him what “moving on” looks like for you today—and trust Him to part the sea.

Prayer Focus

Our Father, we thank you for your hand that is upon us. While our journey may feel dark and at times lonely, we know that you go before us. We know, Lord, that in this journey that we are walking, you have already won this victory! Father, I ask that as we are on this journey, I pray that we would continue to move. I pray that the enemy would not be able to allow us to be paralyzed by fear, but that we would move forward one step at a time, knowing that you have paved the way. We love you, Lord, and we thank you for your grace, your love, and your sovereignty. Amen