As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. (NIV) Exodus 14:10
The Israelites were released from Egypt. But, God led the Israelites along a circuitous route, into a geographic cul-de-sac. . .the most vulnerable position they could be in militarily. When Pharaoh heard of the Israelites route, he came to his senses – as in dollars and cents – he had lost his cheapest form of manual labor! Pharaoh prepared his army, 600 of Egypt’s best chariots and took off in hot pursuit. The Israelites looked up from their camp and on the horizon, saw the Egyptian army approaching. They saw the dust kicked up from the horses and they were terrified.
Who is your Egyptian army? Who is it that is on your back? your spouse? your boss? a child’s teacher? a neighbor? Maybe it’s not a person, but some “thing” that is on your back. . .a business that won’t consistently perform in the black? a job with constant demands? poor health? loneliness? shame? a fear? not being able to provide for your family? your past? an addiction? divorce? a dream long since gone? grief over a wasted life? a traumatic childhood?
Don’t get caught in the trap of looking back at what’s pursuing you. Instead, do as Moses did, look to God and you will see His mighty power and the world will see God working in and through you!