Catch-22

Read

Exodus 13:1-15:21

Think

Exodus 14:13-16, “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.’ Then the Lord said to Moses … ‘Tell the Israelites to move on. 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.’”"Catch-22" is one of the most used phrases in the English language. When stuck with only two lousy, opposing, paradoxical choices, what do we do? When we need experience to get a job, but we can't gain experience without a job, what do we do? When we must choose between buying gas to go to work or groceries to feed our kids, what do we do? Life is full of catch-22s!Trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's armies, the Israelites were gripped by fear. Had God had led them into the desert to die? Would they have to choose between drowning or dying by the sword? They looked to Moses for an answer. And, though he didn't know how, he knew God would come through. So, assuring them God would do the fighting, he gave two commands: stand firm and be still. As all hope of freedom seemed lost, God told Moses to part the waters and "move on." Over 2 million people crossed the sea on dry ground before God sent the mighty waters crashing down on the enemy. God turned a dead-end into an open door.

When nothing makes sense, and you feel trapped with no foreseeable way out, stand firm and be still. There are no "catch-22s" in God's economy. Don't get caught up in your own understanding, but be a "Moses" and trust in the Lord. You may not know how, but you know GOD WILL provide a path for you to "move on" through the waters of life!

Act

Pray

Father, In my pride, I often look to my own understanding instead of believing in Your sovereign power. Today, I choose to trust in You, knowing You are faithful to make my dead ends into straight paths. Amen.