After years of slavery, the people of Israel have escaped from captivity in Egypt and run into a big problem -- the Red Sea. The Red Sea lies between them and their freedom. Their hearts sink. There's no way for them to get through it or around it. They feel defeated.
But then they call out to God, questioning His plan.
"Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness?"
And Moses tells them:
"Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."
{You probably know what happens next. God performs a miracle. He uses the Israelites' faith.}
He instructs them to get moving. To pick up their staffs and raise their hands over the sea and walk in.
So they do.
Let's just stop there a minute. This whole story could've ended another way. The Israelites might not have listened. They might not have used their faith, listened to God, and walked forward. The Egyptians would've caught up with them and re-captured them.
But they listened. They did what God was instructing them to do. They held onto their faith and their staffs and they moved forward.
And God performed a miracle. He divided the Red Sea into two parts, with an aisle of dry land between two mighty walls of water. The Israelites walked through, unharmed, and then God returned the water to normal and it swept over the Egyptians who were chasing the people of Israel and the Bible says that not a single one survived.
In the same chapter as the Israelites thought they would escape, the feared they would not. And then they were delivered.
Their Deliverer showed up!
And in the very first verse of the next chapter, the people of Israel are praising God for rescuing them and for granting them true freedom.
How does this apply to your life today?
In your current chapter of life, where are you? Are you trying to be free? Are you facing a huge barrier that seems insurmountable? Have you called out to God with doubt? Has He answered you yet? Is He rescuing you? Has He delivered you? Are you free?
A lot can change in just one chapter.
Just hang on -- the Lord will fight for you.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! "A lot can change in just one chapter." Love that.
ReplyDeletexoxo
That must have been quite a shock, after hundreds of years of everything going from bad to worse. For years I've wondered why they were always freaking out instead of trusting God; I never thought before about their conditioned response to hardship reenforced for generations. That helps me understand and relate to Exodus a lot better. And it encourages me that God could get such a panic-prone people out of Egypt and to the Promised land; there's hope for me as well. Thank you for sharing your insights!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenn! This is very inspiring and hopeful. And yes I am waiting for that next chapter in my life and trying to not lose faith. This post was very timely. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad, Kei!
ReplyDeleteI used to teach about Moses to second graders. I’d have them close their eyes and picture themselves walking across the Red Sea. I’d ask them to tell me what they heard and what they saw, what the children were doing…The students were able to feel the emotions almost as if experiencing it firt-hand....like watching a movie of it in their minds. They were especially amazined that God’s people walked across on dry ground.
ReplyDeleteThis passage has special significance for me at this time. My husband had been looking for a job because his current position will be eliminated Dec. 31st. Just a few days ago, he was hired by another company to start in January. His current commute is five hours round trip by train. His new position will have him working at home.
When God provides, He often blesses us beyond measure.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
How encouraging, Vicki! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete