Our Red Sea Moment

April 11, 2021

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord .

~Exodus 14:10~

The story of the Red Sea is one that many have loved discussing generation after generation. It truely never gets old and is just as exciting each time. It is one of God's big "glory moments." He used a simple man to partake in an incredibly sovereign task. When the Lord took them all the way to the Red Sea, He did so knowing first hand what would be the responses of His children also while taking part in the Egyptian's response; "And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness." (Exodus 14:8)

Perhaps God was giving Pharoah a little boost to push into the Israelites so they may see what it truely is to be in an unknown situation so they may rely only on Him for help. The complaints coming out of their mouths after seeing and hearing the horses and chariots storming toward them was no suprise to God. I find it rather interesting when someone in the Church brings up this scene and speaks about the importance behind trusting God; yet here we are living in a time when a virus is making that same type of fear rise up within God's own people. The devil has a field day. We walk in faith, praising God, then suddenly a situation arises that the Father allows as a test to see who we will run to and most of us would rather turn into a slave to be "comfortable again" as apposed to genuinely trusting in God and waiting for our Red Sea parting moment. That moment that says; "In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you." (Isaiah 54:14)

Now, I am not here to point fingers or judge but please let us take a look at how the Israelites reacted and compare them with how we react now. We see how much the children of Israel praised and glorified God on their way out. They knew that leaving Egypt was exactly what they cried out to God for. Their trip had gone semi comfortable for the time being when suddenly God struck a nerve. When it looked to them that they had been trapped for good, their fear of death arose and they began to agree that they would rather serve Pharoah and be a slave to him then die right there. Do you see the strange connection? We go on and on praising God, claiming to be faithful to Jesus and trusting that He is sovereign and alive; suddenly change comes to be and deception arises in front of us. We find many standing at the sea in front of us and behind us is a rushing sound of uncertain outcome. The news tells us we will die, the enemy whispers to us that we must look to scientists for a cure and the families begin to argue what is the right thing to do for the "good of others." My friends, this is our Red Sea moment and God has hardened the hearts of many men in charge and here they are rushing from all angles at us. What would we rather do? Will we trust that God is the same God who brought victory to the Israelites and that Jesus is ready to bring us that same victory as we stretch out our hands? Will we complain and be afraid of dying, even though we are not in control of our lives to begin with? Will we be more comfortable being slaves to men verse serving the Lord in faith? "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." (I Corinthians 7:23)

We need to choose because the parting of the sea just may come soon and we do not want to be deceived when it arrives. Our Father does not wish that we fear. Our Father does not wish we are to take control ourselves. Our Father does not wish that we insist on doing whatever the enemy behind us says just to feel "semi comfortable" again. He wants us to have faith in Him. He wants us to trust in His protection, the power of God, rather then relying on worldly ideas. We can agree to disagree but I do not believe a "quick shot" is God's idea of glory. I love you all but let us be real. Jesus laid hands to heal the sick and He told us to turn around and do the same thing. It does happen when we are faithful and it always will. I speak from experience; of my own battle with this virus in prayer and praying over others for healing. The Lord wants to work in faithful vessels just as He worked in Moses. God is the same. I refuse to down play my Father in anyway. His power never decreases. Let us take a look at what is in front of us, be willing to take that first step of faith in God and not be afraid of what people are leading us to do or not do. In the end it is our own decision but the Lord wants us to understand that His faithfulness is never ceasing just as satan's deception is relentless. Right now we are head first into deception and the fear implanted into people's hearts are causing the same reaction; "Have you taken us away to die?" No, God wants us to live and to live truely trusting in His Son. "I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord."

(Psalms 118:17)

Do people die? Of course, we all will one day. Do we have full control? No.

Is it sad? Of course, but in Christ we live on. Do we need to blame others? No.

Is God still trustworthy? Absolutely.

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

(Hebrews 2:14‭-‬15)

We have no need to fear, victory is in Jesus. We are no longer held in slavery by fear of death. It was finished on the cross!

Salvation is something we can all praise God about but what happened to praising God for the rest of the gospel? "Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed."(Acts 5:16)

I am not one to believe this ever stopped. In fact, Jesus is asking us to carry on just as His apostles did. To all who believe shall do these things. Our Red Sea moment is here and it is our job to trust in God and stop being afraid of the "invisible enemy" as some have called it. There is only one invisible enemy and he wants nothing more then us to rely on the world over God. He will deceive in a way that will take the word of God and shift or pervert it so that we believe we are doing the "right thing," when in fact we are just becoming too comfortable being a slave. Trust in God to part this Red Sea and bring total destruction to those who war against us, whether it be physically or spiritually. The war is coming to an end and God is searching for His people to stretch out their hands and make a shift with Him.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for Your amazing works at the Red Sea and for showing us just how powerful You truely are. There is no reason for me to doubt in You, no matter what may sneak up behind me. I declare I will battle in trust rather then cower in fear. Help me to continue showing Your glory, just as Moses did to those around him. It takes great faith and it is because of what You have done for me already that I could never disbelieve in the same power that parted that Red Sea. I rebuke deception of the enemy in Jesus Name off my family's life and I decree victory is on the way! Nothing can cause me to fear death, and when it is my time I know it is Your time for me. I accept my destiny the way You designed it, not what the devil is having me agree with. Lord, I pray for all people who may be tied down by chains of deception, ones that are filled with fear and choosing to be a slave to men over a servant for You. Please strike their heart with Your peace so that they may be reminded of the freedom You died to give them just as the Israelites received freedom during exodus.

I receive all blessings and growth in my faith in the Name of my Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Amen.