Fasting Devotion 2026: Day 5

Fasting Devotional – Day Five

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Title: Surrender at the Red Sea

Text: Exodus 14

Written by: Kelly Lambert

Thoughts:

Reading Exodus 14, I can feel the panic in the moment. Israel is free, yet freedom suddenly feels dangerous. The Red Sea is in front of the Israelites, and Egypt is behind them, and there is no clear path forward. They cry out to God, but fear quickly turns into doubt and complaint, a response that most of us can understand. They had already seen God move in powerful ways, yet fear still took control in the moment. God does not respond with urgency or frustration. He tells them to stand still and watch what He will do. This passage shows that God is calm, present, and fully in control. Israel does not earn deliverance. They do not fight their way out. They witness salvation that only God can provide. This reminds me that God is not overwhelmed by my fear. He invites me to trust Him, even when I feel stuck.

Challenge:

This passage challenges how we often respond when we feel trapped by certain circumstances. My instinct is to act quickly and fix the problem myself because I always want to feel like I am in control. Standing still feels unsafe because it feels like doing nothing. Exodus 14 shows that stillness is not passivity, but it is trust. I was reminded of a season when I felt torn between hard decisions and uncertain outcomes. I prayed, but I also tried to force solutions on my own. The more I pushed, the heavier my anxiety became. Peace only came when I stopped trying to do it on my own. I trusted God to lead me, even without clear answers, and God made a way that I couldn’t see at first. This passage reminds me that my role is not to part the sea; my role is obedience. In our relationship with Christ, this means trusting that Jesus has already secured victory and understanding that we don’t have to earn rescue through effort or perfection. We are called to follow Him, even when the next step feels unclear.

Reflect: Where am I rushing ahead instead of trusting God? What fear is keeping me from standing still and believing that He will act?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, You see the places where I feel trapped and unsure of what to do next. You know how quickly fear takes over and how often I try to fix things on my own. Help me to stand still and trust You when the path forward is unclear. Remind me that You are fighting for me and that I am not alone in this moment. Teach me to release control and listen for Your voice. Give me the courage to wait when You ask me to wait, and to move when You tell me to move. I place my trust in You alone, Amen 

Highlight: Sometimes God asks us to stand still so we can see that He is the one who saves.