Backed by the SpiritSample

Here we are, at a very crucial moment of Moses’ leadership. The moment of deliverance is here, but everyone is terrified. The people of Israel are terrified to the point of wanting to go back into slavery, because the escape route looks like a trap instead of a means of deliverance. The people are in chaos, and it is either they are slain by the Egyptians, or they drown in the sea. Either way, death is imminent. Out of desperation, they cry out to God, with hearts riddled with panic. Moses attempts to calm the crowd, but God asks him, “Why are you crying out to Me?” It is interesting how you can be leading people, and amidst your external hard shell, internally, you are secretly wondering, “Will the Lord deliver?”

Amidst the chaos, God tells them to make a move, step out on faith, and watch what will happen next. When walking with God, He may not give details about how the deliverance will come. God never had a discussion with Moses beforehand, as to how this situation was going to play out. All that Moses knew was that he had an active role to play in the deliverance of the people of God. It is only at the moment where they faced the Red Sea that God gives His blueprint. The average person would be thinking, “Well, thank You for telling me that NOW, Lord! It may have been helpful if You told me that this was Your plan all along,” but in the wisdom of God, now was the right time to unpack that which He had planned out from the beginning.

At that time, something very interesting happened. The angel of God that had been going before them had switched positions and stood behind the people along with the pillar of cloud. The pillar of cloud that served as a guide became a barrier between Israel and their enemies. The battle tactics of God are not restricted to one format. He is the God who goes before us, but He is also the God who stands behind us. When someone says, “I am standing behind you,” it means that they are supporting you. In order for that new strategy to go into effect, it took action from the people of God. They had to decide that they were going forward.

Oftentimes, we face things that seem insurmountable, but God is telling us, “I know what you are up against, but if you make a decision to plow forward, I will stand behind you, and part the sea before you.” Even when it looks like your back is against the wall, the Lord will show you His power.