Day 11 - 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2026

Day 11: Stand Still and Move Forward

The echoes of celebration had barely faded. Behind the children of Israel lay centuries of bondage and the miraculous display of the ten plagues. They had walked out of Egypt with silver, gold, and the taste of freedom. But as the dust settled, the geography changed. According to Exodus 14:3, Pharaoh observed their route and concluded, "They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in."

This ancient scene reveals a sobering spiritual reality: a major victory—a "personal Exodus"—is often followed immediately by a desolate wilderness.

1. The Enemy Strikes in the Aftermath

We often expect a straight line from deliverance to the Promised Land. Instead, the Israelites found themselves trapped between the jagged peaks of the desert and the approaching roar of Pharaoh’s 600 chosen chariots.

Just as Pharaoh refused to let his prize go without a fight, the enemy of our souls rarely concedes after a spiritual breakthrough. When you finally break an addiction, heal a relationship, or deepen your commitment to God, do not be surprised by a sudden "counter-attack." The wilderness is not a sign that you took a wrong turn; it is often the location where the enemy tries to reclaim what he lost.

2. The Disorientation of the Desert

In the shadow of the Red Sea, the Israelites’ confidence shattered. The vastness of the desert felt like a prison rather than a path. Their discouragement was so profound that they cried out in Exodus 14:12: "It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."

Trials and tribulations have a way of distorting our memory. Under the pressure of a current crisis, the "safety" of our past bondage can start to look more appealing than the "uncertainty" of our future freedom. The wilderness disorients us; it makes us feel small, overwhelmed, and forgotten. It is the place where our faith is tested not by our strength, but by our perceived helplessness.

3. The Solution: Stand Still, Then Move Forward

In the midst of the panic, Moses issued a command that felt counterintuitive: "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord... The Lord will fight for you" (Exodus 14:13-14).

However, God’s response to Moses added a crucial second step. In Exodus 14:15, the Lord asked, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward."

There is a divine balance in the wilderness:

• Trust the Battle to God: You do not have to defeat the "Egyptians" in your life through sheer willpower. God is the combatant.
• Keep Your Feet Moving: Trust is not passive. God did not part the sea while they were sitting in their tents; He parted it as they moved toward the water.

If you feel "closed in" by your circumstances today, remember that the wilderness is the stage for your next miracle. The disorientation you feel is temporary, but the deliverance God is working is eternal. When the desert screams "give up," the God who has already won the victory says, "Go forward."

Father, help me to stand still and trust you with my battle! Help my faith in you to move me forward. As I struggle through the wilderness of life, remind me of your past victories and your promises of future glory! I praise you for what you have done, what you are doing and what you are going to do! Amen!

This week, if you are going through a wilderness in your life, I would love for you to reach out to me so that I can pray for you. Either through a comment on this article or by emailing me directly, I would love to hear how you are doing and be able to encourage you to keep going forward! Pastor Melvin