The Parent In The Playground

Exodus 14:14 “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” ~KJV

Children playing in a playground seem to be at their happiest. They are running, playing and utilizing all the tools of the playground without a care in the world. They seem to have freedom from fear. I remember that feeling of fun and freedom. If I ever felt something begin to bother me, I’d look over to my mother or my father and I would feel better because my parents were watching over me. I knew that they would not let anything happen to me. 

This comfort of safety is how we protect ourselves from fear when we are children. So, what do we do when we are adults? There are times when we cannot help the fear that comes over us. When the world and its dark influences throw obstacles in our paths. Those situations that affect us and make us afraid. As adults we feel we do not have anyone watching over us anymore because we are now in that position of protecting others. 

Well, we can either remain under the covers of stress, worry and doubt and try to depend on our own power to fight a fight that is not ours. Or, we can throw off those ‘covers’ and get out of that bed of self-destruction and look to the Lord for our help! There are two stories in the Bible that point us in the direction God wants us to go when we struggle through these experiences. By almost the same statements and words. 

The first comes in Exodus Chapter 14. The Israelites were being pursued by the Egyptians and they came to a place where they could not do anything further under their own power. The Red Sea appeared to have blocked their freedom. The fear inside them was great, until Moses said to them, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew to you today…” Verse 14 continues, “...The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” 

The other statement comes in 2 Chronicles 20:15 where God instructs, through Jahaziel, as a battle is coming their way, “...Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” It is confirmed again in verse 17 where He continues to say, “You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”

Both testaments remind us of our salvation. God is telling us that He is the parent as we play in this ‘playground’ of a world. Anything that tries to come for us will have to deal with our Father in heaven. As long as we continue to live our righteous lives, God will forever protect His children. As He fights for us, we need only to hold onto that peace given to us by God.

May God continue to bless and keep you in His mighty love and protection in Jesus’ name.

Amen

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