The hard stuff usually comes right after a nice victory. There will be some incredible moment of great news that touches our lives… and then we get blindsided by some bad news, or a tough battle.

Panic may even set in.

We were walking in victory one minute… then… WHAM!

We’re on the ground looking around… dazed. It’s in those moments we often find the space to ask God why in the world this is happening again. 

This is Israel’s constant place with Yahweh. From the moment they leave Egypt they find ways to complain to Yahweh. Life wasn’t all smooth sailing for them and they just had to let Yahweh know about it.

They watch deliverance happen with the Passover and they are on their way out. They’ve just walked out of Egypt without a battle. No lives were lost in a rebellion. Life is good! 

Then, Pharaoh decides to give chase.

Israel decides to complain. (Something they get really good at over time.)

Battles happen. Struggles happen. We just don’t like them. I don’t care for them at all. Yet, here they come.

And generally, I get the same advice from the Spirit that Moses gives to Israel that day at the Red Sea:

¹³ But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never ever see again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you. You just keep still.” (Ex. 14:13-14, CEB)

Keep still? Are you nuts? 

But the battle is the Lord’s. He takes up the fight. It is his Kingdom. It is his provision. He knows the way to victory.

It’s that “keeping still” part I struggle with the most.