Life lessons from the Red Sea

Every believer at one point or another has a Red Sea moment, a situation from which there is no escape, and only an undeniable act of God can lead you safely out.

1. God knows what He is doing.

Exodus 13:18 says “So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea...” He knows our way. He sees the big picture. He has good in store. And though it may not have been what we would have chosen, or how we would have done things, we can thank Him for His Sovereignty, His care over us, and His leadership.

2. God leads our way, and He is with us.

Ex. 13:21 says “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to given them light…” He goes ahead of us, He walks with us, and He guards our way from behind. His Word gives truth and life and shows us the way to walk in this world.

3. We must view the obstacles as opportunities.

Ex 14:10 says “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.” They also blamed Moses for the obstacles. But Moses viewed the obstacles as an opportunity to see the salvation of the Lord. Ex 14:13

4. We must know the times - the time for prayer and the time for action.

Ex. 14:15 God said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” God may ask for stillness and trust and other times he might say, “Get going and keep trusting.” It’s so important to listen for his voice, to know when to be still, and also to know when to get up and move forward.

5. God will work powerfully on our behalf, but He often asks for our obedience first.

Ex. 14:16 says God asked Moses to do one thing. “Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” Moses was asked to obey God's voice. And with staff raised and hand outstretched, God's mighty power was unleashed. That sea not only divided, but the people walked right through it on “dry ground.” Our obedience to His voice will always lead to blessing. If the Israelites had not stepped toward the sea, it would never have parted.

6. God always stands between us and the enemy.

We never fight alone.Ex. 14:19 says “Then the angel of God…withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them…” God Himself fights for us and guards us. That’s how much He loves us and desires to set His protection over us. He will hem us in from all sides and keep us under His care.

7. We must trust God to deliver in His own unique way.

Ex. 14:31 says “And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” The crossing of the Red Sea was the Old Testament’s most dramatic object lesson to trust God to deliver in his own unique way. It is His specialty. Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

You may be facing your own Red Sea moment this week. Maybe the enemy seems hot on your trail, lurking close, whispering lies and defeat, trying his best to trip you up. Maybe the obstacles that loom before you seem way too hard to overcome. You want to turn back. You want to give up. Take courage. Learn these lessons. Apply these truths. God is with you. And He fights for you today.

Application Questions:

1. When the going gets tough, what do you do? Who do you turn to? Do you tend to complain or do you take it to God in prayer? Is your faith shaken or is it reinforced?

2. What types of tests has the Lord repeated for you? Why do you think He has repeated them? What are the lessons you still need to learn?

Quote:

The best place any Christian can ever be in is to be totally destitute and totally dependant upon God, and know it. - Alan Redpath

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you that you for your promise and assurance that You are able to take me through any Red Sea moments in my life. Help me to be still and move forward knowing that You will "make a way where there is no way." Amen