Terrified. For the glory of God …

The average person won’t have too many truly terrifying experiences in their lifetime, but most of us have a few.

Think back for a moment, what has been the most terrifying experience in your life?

Whatever it was, I hope you’re healed from the trauma and trouble it may have caused.

But let me ask you this: Have you ever been terrified for the glory of God?

The ancient Israelites were.

Immediately on the heels of one of the greatest experiences of their lives — being freed from a life of slavery under the tyrannical rule of the Egyptian Pharaoh — they now found themselves facing the Red Sea in front of them, with the deadly force of Pharaoh’s army thundering its way toward them from behind.

The people were terrified. You can read about how they complained to Moses in Exodus, chapter 14.

You probably know how that terrifying moment became a miraculous delivery we still talk about today:

“Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! Then the Egyptians — all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers — chased them into the middle of the sea. But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. ‘Let’s get out of here — away from these Israelites!’ the Egyptians shouted. ‘The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!’ When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, ‘Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.’ So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers — the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived. But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides,” Exodus 14:21-29.

What that amazing story of deliverance often overshadows is how, when Moses went running to God, He wasn’t surprised or startled. Quite the opposite, this moment was planned as a way to bring glory to God:

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!'” Exodus 14:15-18.

As with those ancient Israelites, sometimes the things that terrify us the most were planned in order to bring glory to God. And glorifying God is the clarion call to all peoples of the world:

“O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor,” 1 Chronicles 16:28-29.

Greater than our fears of the moment is the astounding and infinite glory of God.

Scotty