Fiction Friday: Indivisible

Editor’s Note: Find each other all over again… Marriage is a beautiful gift and takes work to maintain sweetness, joy, and intimacy. What better time than now to choose love and ask God for great blessings over your marriage? Enjoy this excerpt from Indivisible!

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Being Still in the Battle

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:13-14

The story of Moses and Pharaoh is legendary in historical and biblical contexts. As the final plague devastated Egypt, including Pharaoh’s own household, the dictator relented and told Moses he could leave with his entire nation. The Israelites quickly packed their bags, plundered the Egyptians, and hit the road.

Finally granted their freedom, they began the first steps on their path to the promised land. But Pharaoh’s defeat started to hurt his pride. Having second thoughts also about losing his slave labor force, he decided to recapture them. So, he set out with more than six hundred chariots and horsemen to head Moses off. Meanwhile, the Israelites had arrived at the shores of the Red Sea and were camped out.

Imagine the shock and terror of hearing thousands of hoof beats rumbling across the land, heading straight for them. With their lives suddenly threatened, the people decided that returning to slavery was better than dying on the seashore. But God gave Moses a plan even in this seemingly inescapable deathtrap, as we read in today’s scripture.

Upon God’s command, Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and a strong wind not only pushed back the expansive waters to divide them in two, but also dried out the exposed ground. As the people stepped onto the seabed, the waters created dividing walls on each side. At some point, Pharaoh saw the opening and ordered his army to resume the chase.

As Moses reached the other side of the sea, while his people were walking out from the seabed, God told him to stretch out his hand once again. The Red Sea began to close back up — covering the Egyptian army that had already entered in force. God had once again created a path to life for His people when death seemed imminent from the enemy.

There are moments in all marriages when we are safe and secure, far away from any “Egypt” of the past and camped out by our own version of the Red Sea. But then suddenly, without warning, we are trapped between the encroaching enemy of a life crisis and what seems an impassable way out. When fear overwhelms us, we must remember that God will make a way where there seems to be no way. We need only to remember: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Our faith in Him, no matter how small, can connect with His provision and protection to help us get to the other side of whatever we are facing.

Creating Connection

Recall some of the “Red Sea” moments in your life together. What did you do? What did you see God do? What did you learn? How did your faith change? Your relationship? Keeping a journal where you write down the victories and challenges you face together could encourage and inspire you in your relationship not only with one another but also with God. Write down what He does in each situation. Commemorate how He made a way for you in the most di cult times. Tell of His faithfulness to always see you through to the other side.

1. How did recalling your moments when God came through in a crisis encourage you?
2. How can your life journal help you when a new challenge arises?
3. How can your life journal leave a spiritual trail for your family in the future?

The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.

Excerpted with permission from Indivisible: One Marriage Under God by Robert Noland, copyright Indivisible, The Movie, LLC.

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Your Turn

What are your goals for your marriage this year? What do you want to strengthen and improve? We’d love to hear! ~ Laurie McClure, Faith.Full