The story of God parting the Red Sea illustrates an important principle. God delights in revealing Himself to His
children, but few people have a life-changing encounter with God when life is going well. Encounters with God often
happen in the midst of life’s dilemmas, when you are trapped in a tight corner. It is then that you are likely to encounter
God’s character in the most profound way, and God will use your dilemma to reveal His splendor and glory.
When the Israelites left Egypt, God deliberately led them in the opposite direction from the Promised Land. This
situation was the perfect setting for God to demonstrate His glory, splendor and majesty. Through delivering them,
God’s name would be praised forever.
From a military point of view, God’s strategy was foolish. Just when the Israelites were dreaming of starting a
new life in the Promised Land, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he pursued them. They were caught between Egypt’s
army and the Red Sea. The Israelites were powerless to fix their problem and they needed divine intervention. They
were terrified and cried out to God in their distress. Humanly speaking, there was no way out. But God had ordained this
dilemma to teach them a lesson they would never forget.
Situations like this are fertile ground for a God-encounter. God may permit fiery trials, events and circumstances
to teach you to depend upon God like never before. The purpose of the Red Sea experience is to teach you, when you
can’t find your way out, to look to God! Let Him fight on your behalf. God will make a way! He is a Way Maker!
Moses told the people to be still and let the LORD fight for them. By faith the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, one
step of faith after another. Lo and behold, the waters parted and God made a way for the Israelites to walk on dry
ground. Then the pillar of cloud, the visible sign of God’s presence, moved from the front, leading and guiding the
Israelites, to the rear, shielding them from their enemies. And the Egyptians drowned in the sea. Not one of them
survived!
When you are going through a crisis, it’s hard to be still. Whatever enemies you may be staring at, let God take
them on! If He is fighting for you, then you have nothing to fear. Be still, wait for direction from the Lord, then obey God
even in the face of chaos. Victory will be yours.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is utmost confidence in God and His character. Your faith
becomes a channel for God to work. Believe that God will stay true to His promises. As a follower of Christ you have an
enemy who, like a roaring lion, seeks to devour you. If God is not in front of you, He will be behind you, shielding you
from your enemies. His presence comes in between. He becomes your shield.
The Red Sea Crossing became a historic marker, a milestone. The OT writers kept going back to this event over
and over to highlight God’s miraculous powers against seemingly impossible odds! Looking back, the Israelites could see
that their dilemma served as an opportunity to see God’s hand.
What dilemma are you facing today? Your situation is a perfect opportunity for God to display His mighty
power—a platform for God to display His glory. God is a Way Maker. Let Him fight your battles! Let Him make a way for
you! Your faith will never be the same.