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19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. 29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. (Exodus 14:19-31 NIV Bible)
A blessed and wonderful Wednesday to you, dear Friend! I pray this bring you a blessing with which you can be a blessing. Remember to pray for one another; pray for those who have asked prayers from us; pray for peace in the world.
This is an iconic story. It is the story of God delivering Israel from their captivity from the Egyptians. It is a story of God's miraculous power. God never holds anything back when it comes to us, and there are key elements of this story that we can apply to our lives and what we may happen to be facing. Sometimes that which we face may seem insurmountable, or we may even feel trapped. We even feel pursued, and even just feel so overwhelmed by those forces that have come against us. Here is where we find our strength in this passage.
This passage teaches us that God goes before us. Just as we read that God's angel went ahead of the Israelites, we should also know that God is at work preparing the way before us. Even when we can't see the path ahead of us, God is there to guide us through the darkness.
This passage also teaches us that God makes a way. When Moses stretchd out his hand, God parted the Red Sea, creating a dry path through an ocean! In the same way, God can open doors that seemed closed. God can also remove obstacles, and God can make a way where there seemed like there was none for us.
Next, the passage speaks the truth that God fights for us. The Israelites were up against one of the most powerful nations in the world at that time, but in reality this battle was really about God versus Pharoah, because Pharoah has set himself up as a god, and well, we know how that went. If God works on our behalf, what chance does our enemy have? In this case, the Egyptians had no chance. God is our ultimate defender and God can and does confuse our enemies and gives us the victory.
This passage teaches us that God delivers completely. Not one of the pursuing Egyptians survived in this attempt to stop and bring the Israelites back. It shows us that when God delivers, it is complete and thorough. God can and does completely remove the things that have come to threaten us, and leaves no trace of harm..
Finally, this passage teaches us to Trust in God. When the Israelites saw God's mighty hand at work, they feared Him and put their trust in Him. Our trials can lead us to a deeper trust and faith in God. God uses adversity to draw us closer to Him.
The laws of nature nor the strength of our enemy is a hinderance to our God. God's power is unmatched and God is undefeated. God's love is unwavering and God's commitment to me and you is unbreakable.
PRAYER: Loving God, our hearts are filled with gratitude for all You have done for us. May these lessons bless us as we seek to walk with You each day; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Walk with more confidence in knowing God is with you today and all days.
Receive my blessings of joy and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
