Exodus 14 -- What To Do When Life Has Hemmed You In

God gave directions that led His people to turn back and camp at a place on the shore of the Red Sea.  The spot apparently left no avenue of escape, frightening the Israelites and emboldening the Egyptians.  God had chosen this spot to cause His people to depend solely on Him.

As the Egyptians neared, the angel of God moved from in front of the Israelites to a position behind them, protecting them from attack.  Moses was now confident in God’s provision, and said, “You only need to remain calm; the Lord will fight for you.”  All during the night, a wind sent from God held back the sea as the Israelites crossed on dry ground.  (It did not take all night to dry the ground first, as we’ll see in a moment.)

Just before dawn the Egyptians drove their chariots into the corridor through the sea as well, chasing the Israelites.  “When morning came, the Lord looked down from the pillar of cloud and fire at the Egyptian army and made them panic.  He kept the wheels of the chariots from turning, making it hard to drive the chariots … and at dawn the sea returned to its place … Not one of them survived.”

The Israelites witnessed this firsthand, and it caused them to fear the Lord, and to trust Him and His servant Moses.  I can only imagine what the Egyptians thought when their supply chain finally caught up with their army, finding none of the chariots and seeing the bodies of their entire army and their king floating in the water!

Father, help me to remember that You sometimes send impossible situations our way to help us discover that You alone are our source of rescue.  Remind me in those circumstances to wait for and accept Your guidance.  Help me to give You all the glory for my rescue and to never take the glory for myself that is meant solely for You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford