The Israelites blasted and blamed Moses, “It’d have been better for us to be slaves in Egypt than die in the desert!” Moses replied, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today… The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still.” Ex. 14:12-14
Heavenly Father, fear, unbelief, and blame—they are experts at peace-thievery and grace-larceny. We shake our heads in disbelief that the Israelites preferred slavery in Egypt over trusting you in the wilderness. But we have our own version of that same story. Hallelujah, you opened the Red Sea for them, but you opened Jesus’ tomb for us.
What is our version of “returning to Egypt”? We know the Gospel is true, but it’s not always “real” or enough for us. The most familiar and alluring form of “Egypt” is some form of performance-ism. Achieving is easier than receiving—or so we think, especially when we’re vulnerable.
Whether the GPS of our “promised land” is in the region of religion or romance, appearance or approval, success or security—“doing” comes more naturally to us than trusting. We’d rather make “straw-less bricks” with our own hands, while eating “onions and leeks,” than believe you will give us everything we truly need in and by Jesus.
Your grace is for the helpless and powerless, not the sanitized and clever. The Gospel put an end to earning, but not to effort. So help us get still, and stay still—which means to collapse on Jesus, feast on your grace, and “act in line with the truth of the Gospel” (Gal.2:14). You aren’t calling us to be passive and inert, but active and joyful in trusting you, Abba. So Very Amen.