Nowhere to Turn

The following devotion was excerpted with permission from Do Not Be Afraid by David Isaska and published by InterVarsity Press. For more information on this and other valuable resources from IVP, click here.

Nowhere to Turn

THE MESSAGE "DO NOT BE AFRAID" IN THE BIBLE, more often than not, comes to leaders being called upon to lead in a situation, whether they see themselves as leaders or not. Fear crouches at the door of every leader, often making huge demands on the choices and risks a leader entertains. Yet fear is often the context in which leadership is displayed most significantly. Throughout the Bible we see that God is fully aware of both of those realities.

God does not shrink back from fearful situations and even calls us to step forward and display God-empowered strength and courage. At the same time God knows our every thought and seems constantly aware of the fears we face before, during and after a major undertaking. As we are led by God in the midst of fear, we will lead more strongly whether we are at home, work, school or church.

Read Exodus 14:1--15:6.

• The Complaint--Who Is in Charge Here? (14:1-12)

1. The expressions "between a rock and a hard place," "up against the wall" and "nowhere to turn" aptly describe the predicament Israel is in with the Red Sea on one side and Pharaoh's approaching army on the other. Yes, God had just delivered Israel out of Egypt, but now they face a major setback. What fears does such a situation provoke? What crisis in leadership does it create?

2. Why is complaining about leadership often the first response in fearful situations? when facing setbacks?

3. When have you been tempted to complain first in a fearful situation? (Describe your fear and the crisis in leadership.)

• The Challenge--Look for God to Be in Charge! (14:13-29)

4. What does Moses see or believe--that the people do not see--that allows him to call on the people not to be afraid but to stand firm (14:1-4, 13-14)?

5. Why is it important for a leader to see fear as a context for leadership rather than a crisis in leadership? Why would it be even more important to see fear not as a limitation of human resources but as an opportunity for divine resources?

6. What different concerns of Israel's does God address in providing deliverance? (Look at vv. 15-18, 19-20, 21-22, 23-28.) What assurance does that give you when your back is up against the wall?

• The Chorus--I Sing the Mighty Power of God (14:29--15:6)

7. What reversal does God's activity produce in the people's hearts and minds?

8. When have you been impressed by God?s deliverance?

9. Moses sang a song as a tribute to God's deliverance. How could you celebrate what God has done in your life?

• Weekly Wrap-Up

What fears did Moses, Joshua and Gideon face?

What crisis in leadership did each provoke?How was each situation a context for leadership and an opportunity for God's power?

What change in perspective did each "Do not be afraid" bring?

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Originally published January 19, 2010.