Catch-22

Read

Exodus 14:13-16, “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ Then the Lord said to Moses … ‘Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.’”Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will set your paths straight.”

Think

"Catch-22" is one of the most used phrases in the English language. When stuck with only two lousy, opposing paradoxical choices, what do we do? When we need experience to get a job, but we can't gain experience without a job, what do we do? When our backs are to the wall, and we can either buy gas to go to work or groceries to feed our kids, what do we do? Life is full of catch-22s!Trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's armies with no way out, the Israelites were gripped by fear. Had God had led them into the desert to die? They looked to Moses for an answer, who, right then, didn't know how, but knew God would come through. So, assuring them God would do the fighting, he gave two commands: stand firm and be still. As all hope of freedom seemed lost, God told Moses to part the waters and "move on." Over 2 million people crossed the sea on dry ground before God sent the mighty waters crashing down on the enemy. God turned a dead-end into an open door.When nothing seems to make sense, and you feel trapped with no foreseeable way out, stand firm, and be still. There are no "catch-22s" in God's economy. Don't get caught up in your own understanding, but be a "Moses" and trust in the Lord. You may not know how, but you know GOD WILL provide a path for you to "move on" through the waters of life!

Act

Whatever you face today, don't lean on your own understanding. Press into God's wisdom and faithfulness. Trust in Him. The way forward may be a bumpy ride, but He will always make your paths straight!

Pray

Father, In my pride, I look to my own understanding instead of believing in Your sovereign power. Today, I trust in You with all my heart, knowing You are faithful to make my dead-ends into straight paths. Amen.