More often than we like, life backs us into a corner. We face tough situations with no resolution in sight. You may be in one of those tight spots right now. So often those places are filled with fear. Our first instinct is often to panic—or point fingers. We want answers, someone to blame, or a quick way out.
But what if the very situation we’re desperate to escape is the place where God wants to show us something greater? In moments of confusion and pressure, what we need most is not control—but perspective.
The Israelites were in a heart-pounding situation. The Egyptians were coming towards them. The Red Sea blocked their escape. The outcome looked dire. They were afraid.
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord (Exodus 14:10).
The people did one thing right—they cried out to God for help. But they also panicked and pointed the finger. They hurled blame on Moses for backing them into a corner.
They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 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!” (Exodus 14:11-13).
Ouch! Poor Moses. The people were not going to let go of past or present incidents. He was the one who got them into this situation! God was in full control of the situation. He had placed them there.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them.
It’s easy for us with our bird’s eye view of the situation. Our knowledge of what lay ahead allows us to criticize the untrusting nature of the people. However, it gives us a glimpse of how we often react and respond when we are in a tight spot.
We may pray crying out to God when we’re in heart-pounding situations. We may plead to God for help when we’re panicking over our circumstances, when we cannot see a way out. And that is what we are meant to do. The Psalms, as examples, are full of heart-wrenching cries to God. And Philippians 4:6 tells us: “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.”
We may behave like the Israelites. We might lash out or grab for anything and anyone to blame as we flounder. Blame is a way to take control, to make sense of what we’re going through.
Yet, the perspective we should grasp and hold onto, is that God is in control. The purpose is for him to be glorified. He will bring his glory into the situation.
I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” (Exodus 14:4 NLT)
So I wonder, as we go into this next week, if we can change our perspective. When we pray and approach our problems, by all means, let’s cry out to God. But then, let’s also ask for God to show his glory to us and to others. Let’s be expectant of what he can do. We should avoid lashing out based on what we perceive others can or cannot do.
Are you ready to pray in this way? Use the prayer below to help you.
Pray
