August 27, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Exodus - Israel’s Dilemma

Exodus 14:5  And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6  And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7  And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8  And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. 9  But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. 10  And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11  And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12  Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

It was told Pharaoh that Israel fled. They did not flee, they went out with a high hand after spoiling the Egyptians. Pharaoh was misled; he knew he thrust them out but chose to listen to false reports.

Proverbs 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 20:28  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

Pharaoh chose not to employ mercy and believed the lie. That small bit of false information was used by God to harden his heart one more time. Be careful what you listen to and accept as fact.

Gathering his army together with six hundred chosen chariots, Pharaoh pursued after Israel.

Israel saw the advancing army and fear filled their hearts. With fear filled hearts they did four things. 1. They cried out to the Lord. 2. They blamed God’s man. 3. They thought they were right from the beginning. (Did you ever hear someone say “I told you so?’) 4. They thought it was better to suffer and die under Egypts rule, thinking the old life is better than the new life.

Exodus 14:10  And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11  And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12  Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Often times the struggles of life cause us to take our eyes off the Lord. We may cry unto the Lord but never fully trust in the Lord. We may use terms like, “Lord, why are you doing this?” or “Why me?” or “Lord, don’t you love me?” The cries go up but the trust is gone. When we see no way out we lose trust in the Lord. When that happens we naturally turn our focus and blame on others.

Israel saw no way out and blamed Moses. Israel not only blamed Moses but thought it were better to go back to the old life.

Galatians 4:8  Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

God knew exactly what He was going to do as we shall see.

My friend, when things are bleak and the future is vague and you struggle, don’t stop trusting in the Lord. He knows the way out and He will help you through what ever you are facing.

1Peter 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook