Nowhere to Go

Read

Exodus 14:9-10 “The Egyptians—all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD.”

Think

The Israelites were camped by the sea. Maybe some kids were splashing in the water. Maybe families were cooking dinner. It felt like a normal night.

Then someone looked up and pointed. Dust. Lots of dust, way off in the distance. Then they heard the sound of horses and chariots. Pharaoh had changed his mind, and his whole army was coming after them!

The people looked behind them. An army. They looked in front of them. Water. Deep, wide water. They were stuck. There was nowhere to go.

The Bible says they were terrified. That means super scared. Have you ever felt that kind of stuck?

Think about those mazes on a kids' menu at a restaurant. You trace the path with your crayon. You go left, then right, then down. And then you hit a dead end. You can't go forward. Going back feels way too far. You're stuck.

But here is something about mazes. The person who drew the maze always knows the way out. They made every path. They know exactly where the opening is, even when you can't see it.

God is like that, only way better. The Israelites felt trapped between an army and a sea. But God was not trapped. God is never stuck. He already had a plan to get them out, and it was going to be amazing. You'll see it later this week!

Look at what the people did first. They cried out to the Lord. That was the right move. When you feel stuck, the best thing you can do is talk to God.

Maybe you feel stuck right now. Maybe you have a problem at school, and you can't think of any way to fix it. Maybe two friends are fighting and both want you on their side. Maybe something at home feels too big.

You might not see a way out yet. That's okay. You don't have to see it. God sees it. He knows every path, because he made them all.

When there's nowhere to go, you can always go to God.

Apply

Pray when you're stuck – The next time you feel stuck or trapped, stop and pray right away. Say, “God, I don't see a way out, but you do. Please help me.”

Pray

God, sometimes I feel stuck and I don't know what to do. Thank you that you are never stuck. Show me the way, and help me trust you while I wait. In Jesus' name. Amen.