Old Testament passage for Friday, February 1, 2013: Exodus 13:17-15:18
13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NKJV)
There are three incredibles things God did in the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea. As is always the case in Scripture, these three speak directly into how God deals with us today. Across the centuries, God speaks to us in lessons from what He did.
In a sense, each of us comes to our own personal "Red Sea experience." We are cornered -- trapped. Can't go forward and can't go back. We need God. Just as Moses spoke to Israel, God says to us, "Stand still and see the salvation of God!" This is a crisis moment -- but it is also a "kingdom of God moment." It actually has been orchestrated by God for a purpose -- three purposes.
Our great God greatly desires to show us some very important truths. He did that with Israel and He does it today. He is the Lord God who does not change (Mal. 3:6) -- the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). Here's what He did with Israel and does also with us:
1. He MADE A WAY when there was no way. Isn't it significant how God loves to turn hopelessness into happiness?! He leads us into dead-end streets just so He can invent a new road. If you read the entire story of how God led Israel, you will see that He could have led them by a different path. Instead, He led them directly into a miracle. That speaks to me. When I feel that I've finally arrived at the 100% hopeless situation, it just might God that now wants to "make a way in the wilderness."
2. He SEALED THE DELIVERANCE of Israel. How many times have we fought the same enemies that have trailed us for 20 or 30 years? No sooner had Israel left Egypt, but Egypt started chasing her. I know many folks who have been battling the same demons their entire adult lives. It seems that we never can get substantial SEPARATION from Egypt. The Red Sea stands for the end of the claims of the old life. The result is freedom to move on toward the land of promise.
3. He SHOWED HIS GLORY. The glory of God is the greatest cause -- the greatest end. He, because He is God, is all good, all health, all joy, all peace. In all that happens with Israel (and with us), God is showing us that the best thing that could ever happen to us is HIM. Incredibly, fallen creation fights this truth the most. God, because He loves us, knows that the best that could ever happen to us is HIMSELF. We, because of our blindness, think in terms of ourselves alone.
Are you at the Red Sea? This I know -- if you have given your heart to Jesus, He will lead you to such a place. It's part of the relationship. If you are there, TAKE COURAGE. Our God is leading you and already has everything worked out. He will show you the way. This is not a season of limitation but of freedom. God is setting you free from the illegitimate claims of the past. God's great goal is to bring glory to His own name THROUGH YOU.
This is the ultimate win-win situation. God's will is done and you get blessed. How does that sound to you? It sounds like freedom to me.
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