Letting God Fight

Letting God Fight

Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” Exodus 14:13-15

Sometimes we get too caught up in the moment.

Or, more precisely, we get too caught up in our supposed ability to control the moment.

Mike Martin, the head baseball coach at Florida State, has been wildly successful in his four decades at the school, becoming one of the three winningest college baseball coaches ever. He has gone to the College World Series thirteen times, even though he would note that he is still looking for his first championship.

Not too long ago, on a recent trip to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, he texted this response to a well-wisher: “Exod. 14:14. Letting God fight for me.”

We always strive for what’s best. Coach Martin pushes himself and his team for whatever is over the next horizon, and that’s the right response. After all, you’re where you are for a reason. Don’t quit or mail it in. God doesn’t ask Christians to be soft, weak, or passive. If you’re a great saleswoman, close the deal. If you’re a great attorney, win the lawsuit. If you’re a great coach, win the game.

But don’t leave the earth scorched behind you in the process. Don’t let your stress level grow. You can’t control everything. You can prepare only up to a point, as Moses did, and then you have to step back and say, “I’ve done enough. The Lord Himself will fight for me. Just stay calm.”

Just stay calm. It’s tough to do, but how liberating it is when we realize that it doesn’t ultimately fall on us. When Coach Martin runs up against those tough moments, those bad calls, he takes a deep breath and looks for God’s peace. A peace that comes from knowing that God walks alongside us, through good times and bad times.

And that He will always fight for us.

Uncommon Key > Jot down the words from Exodus 14:14: “The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Believe that the ultimate outcome in whatever you are facing is in the Lord’s hands.