Fuel for Your JourneyParaugs

Strength in Our Weakness

“If God really loved me, why would he lead me into such hard circumstances?” You might have found yourself asking this question before. Physical and mental illnesses, loss, relational strain, financial troubles...these circumstances often cause us to question God. They make us aggravated with his guidance, or make us wonder if he is really even in control at all. 

In Exodus, the Israelites feel this very doubt, fear, and frustration. God has just brought the Israelites out of their slavery in Egypt only to lead them straight to the bank of the Red Sea. Pharaoh and his army are chasing the Israelites down, and as they get closer, Israel is trapped between them and a large body of water. 

God has created a situation where reliance on him is the only option. Why? God wants his people to learn to depend on him. He wants his strength to shine out in their weakness. 

Moses tells the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today... The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” 

Do you hear what Moses is calling the Israelites to do? 

Stand by. 

Keep Silent. 

Watch. 

He’s not calling them to run. He’s not calling them to fight. He’s not calling them to devise a plan. Moses is calling the Israelites simply to depend on God. 

God tells Moses to lead the people forward toward the sea. Then, God parts the sea in half! The Israelites walk through a wall of water on their right and left. The Egyptians pursue after the Israelites, but God closes the sea on the Egyptians and drowns their entire army. 

God delivered the Israelites, and he is our deliverer too. God’s bringing Israel across the Red Sea was actually a foreshadow of an even greater deliverance to come: a deliverance through Jesus! With his death and resurrection, Jesus brought salvation, a salvation that delivers us from the sin that enslaves us, salvation that leads us into freedom and new life. Whenever we doubt God’s power to deliver us, we can look at the cross for proof!

The same power that raised Christ from the grave is ours! The same power that brought us into salvation is still with us today! God does not save us with his power only to leave us up to our own strength afterward. The love that drove him to the cross continues to drive him to daily equip us with his power. 

Has God led you to deep waters? Do you feel as though you are at the end of yourself? You are exactly where he wants you to be. His love has brought you to the place where you will get to experience his strength. Depend on the one who forewent deliverance on the cross that you might be delivered! Be still and see the saving power of the Lord working on your behalf.