February 9, 2022
Praying Friends,
Thank you for praying each Wednesday for our prodigals and for revival.
What do you do when you don’t know which way to turn? When crisis situations arise, where do you look? How do you keep going?
This was the predicament of the Israelites in their escape from Egypt. In listening to God’s direction through Moses, they found themselves trapped at the Red Sea, with the enemy barreling down upon them (Exodus 14:1-9).
The Hebrew writer put it into one short sentence, “By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29).
Faith requires a response!
The first response is to simply turn to God. Turning to God in a time of great need is a practice of faith. This is what the children of Israel did, “And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD” (Exodus 14:10).
There is no doubt that their hearts were filled with fear and even anger. Their faith was in progress, and they were learning to trust their Lord. Regardless of your heart condition, God wants you to turn to Him in times of need.
Knowing that God is leading you deepens your faith in Him. As God’s people exited Egypt, it says, “But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea” (Exodus 13:18). It was God who directed them into this place of danger. Therefore, when they got there, He would not abandon them.
The second response is to stand firm in reliance upon God’s Word. Notice the powerful words that Moses spoke, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:13-14).
Fear not! Stand firm! See the Lord work! Only be silent!
These are words that come from God Himself. They are words that apply to each of us when faced with problems that are greater than our ability to handle.
When you are crippled by anxiety, God says, “Fear not!” When your faith is shaky, God says, “Stand firm.” When your vision is obscured, God says, “See the salvation of the Lord.” When you have turmoil and upheaval in your heart, God says, “You have only to be silent.”
He wants to calm our fears and replace them with quietness.
The third response is to move forward at God’s command. God said to Moses, “Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground” (Exodus 14:16).
What a glorious sight! Moses stood with arms outstretched, and the sea opened up before them! What a beautiful visual of another Man with arms outstretched, providing a way to eternal life. The cross is our gateway to all the fullness of God.
In order to get to a place of safety, each of the Israelites had to take forward steps into unknown territory, into the depths of the Red Sea, into a pathway with walls of water on either side, into scary, uncharted terrain. They had to obey the command of God.
It is not so different for you today. You may have the enemy on your tail. You may feel trapped on every side.
God will provide a way forward. God will open the way. He has promised to, “When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open]” (Proverbs 4:12).
Mary G. Brainard wrote similar sentiments. She said, “So on I go not knowing; I would not if I might; I’d rather walk in the dark with God, than go alone in the light; I’d rather walk by faith with Him, than go alone by sight.”
He also promises to go with you through your Red Sea!
When you read Exodus 15:1-21, you get the fourth response of faith, and it was rejoicing, singing, dancing, and praising the wonder of God’s greatness! “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. ‘You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode’” (Exodus 15:11-13 ).
Whatever our present situation, may we all exalt the name of the Lord our God!
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel
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