Red Sea Scenarios

“The Egyptians chased after them (the Israelites) with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea…” Exodus 14:9a

“As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD.”  Exodus 14:10 NASB

“Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NASB

While reading the Old Testament account of God literally parting the sea for His people, (found in Exodus 14) I wondered how I might overlay that specific crisis onto our modern lives. While there are many lessons to be drawn from the entire story, let’s see how their, between-a-rock and a-hard-place crisis can speak to us, as we face our own version of armies and impassable seas.

As I mulled over the Red Sea miracle, or more accurately, the crisis that preceded the miracle, I thought, how fearful the Israelites must have been and even confused. They were where they were, when they were, at God’s command and leading. Yet the Egyptian army was closing in from behind and the Red Sea lay before them. While we know the end of the story, they had no idea that the same God whose mighty hand had just brought them out of bondage, was about to part the Sea in front of them.

Most of us have never experienced the hot breath of literal soldiers chasing us, but we have felt the hot breath of past trauma, past regret and past heartache breathing down on us. We may not have faced impassable waters, but we have front-faced the reality of impossible-to-cross seas of the unknown or the deep waters of dashed expectations mingled with hopelessness. And sometimes, we experience both at the same time. Hemmed in by the pain of the past and the fear of an unknown future. It’s then that we must call to mind the God who brought us “out of bondage,” through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. And remember what He can do with what appears impossible.

There are no trial-free passes handed out to followers of Jesus Christ. If there were, I would be first in line to ask for a family package. While He doesn’t always remove the difficulty, He is always faithful to make a way through it. Parting the waters of pain, heartache and fear of tomorrow, by the miraculously dry path of His presence, His Word, His peace, His grace and His Sovereignty over all. And He grants the added blessing of using all we have/are walking through, for His glory. Providing purpose to the pain of our Red Sea experiences.

Whatever Red Sea scenario you’re facing today, allow it to cause you to look up and cry to the Most-High. Watch Him make a way through the Sea on your behalf.

“Things which sound like platitudes become vital, living and powerful when you have to learn them in dark tunnels.”

John Wesley

Father, I can so easily become fearful and lose courage when I see the “invading armies” all around me. Enable me to look to You and not the sea of difficulty, “until these calamities pass by.” In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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