Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 14:13-14 (New Living Translation)

¹³ But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. ¹⁴ The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Apologies to those who love or hate that t-shirt about “stay calm and fill-in-the-blank.”

Once again, we find the source of just about everything in western civilization. The people chosen by God are about to walk into the middle of an ocean—consider that one for a while—so that the enemy will follow and be destroyed—and consider that one for a while.

This translation ends with, “Just stay calm.” Earlier is the phrase, “watch the Lord.”

The world today is such a mess. When has that statement not been true? What are we to do? Surely it is time to pack up and head for the hills to hide from the latest coming disaster.

Or perhaps it is time to stay calm, stand still, be unafraid, and watch the Lord.

Let’s keep our eyes on the Lord.