Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 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.” Ex. 14:12-14 (NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, as this Scripture demonstrates, fear and worry, feeling helpless and powerless really do a number on us. I understand how your children preferred returning to a life of slavery in Egypt over trusting you in the wilderness of the unknown. Sometimes a known brokenness is more real than the promise of unseen beauty. Help our unbelief as we face different battles and skirmishes in life. Help us to get still and stay still… and trust that you are fighting for us.
Father, I’m not facing the threat of Egyptian soldiers (thankfully). My biggest battles are within my own heart. You tell me of your great love for me in Jesus—which I really believe is true, yet too often the delight, or disdain, of mere people has more functional power over my heart than the riches of your grace. Free me.
I also battle trusting you with the pain, stories, and future of people I love. Instead of praying in faith and releasing them to you, I assume responsibility you never gave me. It always leaves me emotionally exhausted. Help me.
Also Father, walk closely with me in the unfolding journey getting older. At times, I’d love to run back to the land of 30-something, but that’s not going to happen. Help me to trust you in the process of aging—as my memory grows shorter and my joints get tighter; as I bury more friends and sleep fewer hours; as I strain to hear and squint to see. I want to finish this race full of joy and kindness, faith and hope, mercy and grace.
You’ve always been faithful, generous, and present. I choose stillness and trust, over fear and worry. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name.