“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7 NIV)

The ground shook under the force. Hundreds of thousands were marching towards the sea. The shouts of celebration could be heard from miles away. The red sea was coming into view. Only a night’s camp and they would be on their way towards the land that God had promised. All the years of slavery had come to an end. God had delivered them! The Israelites tucked their children into bed, and for once in their lives, allowed themselves to do more than dream of a brighter future; they planned it.

They awoke to the sound of rumbling. Pharaoh and six hundred of his best chariots, along with every available soldier, were making their way toward the traveling multitude of emancipated slaves.

“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 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!’ Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.’” (Exodus 14:10-13 NIV)

At this moment, with nowhere to go but into the sea, the Israelites had a choice. It wasn’t an easy decision. An entire nation was on the verge of annihilation. Would they trust God to make a way, or would they allow fear to cause them to falter?

Problems are tangible.

That’s why fear so often becomes our default. You can see the debt piling up. You can feel the sickness weakening your body. You can see a relationship deteriorating.

When we are constantly vocalizing everything that’s wrong, it keeps us from looking at anything else.

The Israelites could certainly see the Egyptians closing in.

What’s interesting is that it wasn’t like God had just shown up on the scene as the Egyptians came. The people of Israel had heard the stories of how God’s had worked in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

They knew Him.

They had even witnessed his power on display through the plagues that led to their release from captivity.

Fear vocalized has the power to immobilize.

This is why Moses turned to the people and said, “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:13b-14 ESV).

In the midst of their fear, Moses calls for silent expectancy. When we are constantly vocalizing everything that’s wrong, putting the focus on our problems, calling attention to our deficiencies, it keeps us from looking at anything else. The more we talk, the easier it becomes to believe that our problem is just too big and the harder it gets to actively surrender our need to the God who is big enough to meet it.

God will fight for you.

Our biggest problems set the stage for God’s greatest miracles.

What are you going up against?

What are you afraid of?

Are you speaking fear or are you speaking faith?

Have you put your trust in the problems you are facing, or have you put your faith in God? Faith in God enables us to do what He has called us to do. It allows us to see what God is doing under the surface. Our biggest problems set the stage for God’s greatest miracles. Speak faith, trust God, and watch Him fight for you.