The God Who Makes a Way: Crossing the Red Sea
Brothers and sisters, let us turn our hearts to a story of profound faith and divine intervention, the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. In this epic tale, we find a powerful reminder that our God is a God who opens paths where there are none, a God who triumphs over impossible odds.
1. God Leads His People Even When the Path Seems Difficult (Exodus 14:2):
"Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea." God directed His people to a place that looked like a dead end, a place where they were trapped between the sea and the pursuing Egyptian army. Sometimes, God leads us into situations that seem hopeless, not to abandon us, but to reveal His power.
2. The Enemy Does Not Give Up Easily, But God Is in Control (Exodus 14:4):
"And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” The enemy, in this case, Pharaoh, relentlessly pursued God's people. Just as the enemy of our souls never ceases his attacks, we must remember that God holds ultimate control. He orchestrates events for His glory and our deliverance.
3. We Should Not Fear in the Face of Threats (Exodus 14:10):
"When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they were very afraid. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord." Fear is a natural human response to overwhelming circumstances. But God calls us to trust Him, to cast our anxieties upon Him, and to remember that He is greater than any threat we face.
4. The Temptation to Turn Back (Exodus 14:12):
"Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” In moments of fear and desperation, the temptation to turn back, to return to familiar bondage, is strong. The Israelites longed for the perceived security of their past, forgetting the pain and oppression they had endured. But God calls us to move forward, to trust His plan, and to embrace the freedom He offers.
5. The Word of Faith: God Fights for His People (Exodus 14:14):
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Moses, empowered by God, spoke words of faith. He reminded the people that the battle belonged to the Lord. When we are faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, we must cling to God's promises and trust that He will fight for us.
6. The Step of Faith: Moving Forward Even Before Seeing the Miracle (Exodus 14:15):
"The Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.’” God instructed Moses to tell the people to move forward, even before the sea parted. This is the essence of faith: taking a step into the unknown, trusting that God will make a way. We must act on God's word, even when we cannot see the outcome.
7. God Opens Paths Where There Are None (Exodus 14:21):
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.” God performed a miraculous act, dividing the sea and creating a path where there was none. This is our God! He is the God of the impossible, the God who makes a way when there seems to be no way.
8. God Uses What Is in Our Hands to Work Miracles (Exodus 14:16):
"Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.” God used Moses' staff, a simple tool, to perform a mighty miracle. He often uses the ordinary things in our lives to accomplish extraordinary purposes. He uses our talents, our resources, and our experiences to bring about His will.
9. The Enemy is Destroyed by the Same Way God Uses to Deliver His People (Exodus 14:13):
“And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again forever.’” The very waters that provided salvation for the Israelites became the instrument of destruction for their enemies. God uses the same circumstances to deliver His people and to judge their oppressors.
10. Praise After Victory (Exodus 14:31):
“Israel saw the great power that the Lord had used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.” After witnessing God's miraculous deliverance, the Israelites responded with awe and worship. They recognized God's power and placed their faith in Him. Our response to God's faithfulness should always be praise and adoration.
- Sermon on Elijah: A Man of Fire, Frailty, and Faith
- Sermon on Eternal Glory
- Sermon on Emmanuel God is With Us
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, the story of the Red Sea crossing is a testament to the power and faithfulness of our God. When we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, let us remember that our God is the God who opens paths where there are none. Let us trust in His promises, step out in faith, and give Him all the glory. Amen.
