...Lord...fight for me...

“5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials were changed towards the people, and they said, ‘What have we done, letting Israel leave our service?’ 6 So he had his chariot made ready, and took his army with him; 7 he took six hundred picked chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out boldly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his chariot drivers and his army; they overtook them camped by the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

10 As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, “Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians”? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.’ 13 But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still’” Exodus 14:5-14.

Dear friends, the final two verses are the key for today’s reflection:

“13 But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still’” Exodus 14:13-14. When you are struggling mightily in your life, when there seems like the pain is just too great to endure, when you just can’t seem to find a way to remain faithful to God, think of this prayer and make this your prayer:

Oh Lord, help me not to be afraid! 

Instead, help me to stand firm beside You,

with my hand in Yours! 

Give me the grace to remember that 

You will get me through this day.

May I never forget, that in the midst of my troubles,

You will fight for me and You will bring me peace!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.