Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring to you today.”
Exodus 14:13a

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As we head into our upcoming series, Next is Now, and celebrate our 50th anniversary, our devotionals will share each day’s content from our Next is Now group book.

READ: Exodus 14

In any critically acclaimed movie, certain elements must be present. From the writing of the screenplay all the way to the editing room, each piece of the movie-making process works together seamlessly to form the “perfect” film. After the film is shot, editors and sound technicians begin their work, mindful of the entire plot. They know that each scene is a part of a larger narrative, built upon the scene that came before it. When viewed out of context, a scene might be compelling on its own, but without the broader picture, its impact cannot be fully felt or understood.

The same can be said for the Bible. We can read one book within the entire Bible—like the book of Joshua—but it’s only when we place it within the context of the larger narrative that the story takes on greater significance. In reading Joshua, we’ll learn much about this man who led the Israelites into the land God promised. But how did such a man come to be? What “scenes” shaped his life before Joshua Chapter 1?

In Exodus 14:13–14, Pharaoh and his mighty army were bearing down on the nation of Israel— and the Red Sea blocked their escape. Moses told his people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. … The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” This command, “do not be afraid,” is one of the most frequently uttered commands in the Old Testament. God knew the Israelites well. He understood how prone to fear they could be. What followed next is one of the most consequential events in the Israelites’ history—and it foreshadowed an upcoming scene in Joshua’s life: God parted the waters of the Red Sea, creating an escape path for Israel. Moses then led God’s people across the Red Sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on either side. And Joshua—one of Moses’ protégés—was there to witness it all.

In the stories of Joshua, Moses, and the people of Israel, God was their deliverer—and He is our deliverer, too. He has not changed, and He will not change. The same God who delivered the Israelites desires to deliver each of us through whatever battles stand in our way. Joshua’s story and ours are part of God’s grander story, the “critically acclaimed movie” God is creating, scene by scene, in our lives.

A STORY OF THEN & NOW

God Delivered Me | Rhonda F. | Willow Wheaton

I spent the first 30 years of my life running from darkness. I believed God was mad at me for being the sinner I knew I was. Though I grew up in church, singing, “Yes, Jesus Loves Me,” I thought His love depended on me being good. I tried desperately to earn God’s approval, but the scale never quite balanced. It felt hopeless.

I searched everywhere for answers to questions like, “Am I really saved?” “Can I lose my salvation?” or “What does God think of me?” Then one night, feeling completely broken after leaving a Bible study that only added to my confusion, I drove home in tears, convinced I didn’t want to live anymore. I had reached the end of my rope.

As I pulled into my driveway, my neighbor—a man I barely knew—called out to me from across the yard as he was carrying a bag of trash to his trashcan. I didn’t want to talk, but he was persistent. I got out of my car, and he noticed the Bible I held in my hand. “Are you saved?” he asked.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to find out!” I cried.

He shared the gospel with me and asked if I wanted to receive Christ. I said yes. As he led me in prayer, I felt what I can only describe as liquid love pouring over me—washing away years of fear and shame. I’d been set free and knew without a doubt I’d been delivered into the hands of my loving God.

That neighbor? He later told me he’d sensed the Holy Spirit urging him to take out the trash at that exact moment. Today, that man is my husband.

DID YOU KNOW?

Immutability is a theological term that means God’s character and promises are unchanging. This concept is affirmed all throughout Scripture, including in Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord do not change,” and Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

A PRAYER

God, at times when I face challenges, I’m gripped by fear. Help me trust that You are my deliverer—and Your ability to rescue me will never change. Amen.

FOR REFLECTION

Reread today’s Did You Know? When you consider God’s unchanging character, how do you feel? What thoughts and feelings come to mind?

The Israelites witnessed God sending ten plagues to convince Pharaoh to set them free (Exodus 7–11), yet they still struggled to trust that God would deliver them from Pharaoh’s army. What challenge do you face that needs God’s delivery? What makes it hard to believe God will deliver you?