Friday, August 27, 2010

When God Makes a Way

I am identifying today with the Children of Israel in an amazing scene recorded in Exodus 14.  Moses had repeatedly asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt.  They had been slaves there for 400 years and God had chosen Moses to bring them deliverance.  Finally Pharaoh relented; he let the Israelites go.  They hadn't been gone long, however, until he changed his mind.  "What have we done!  We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!" Pharaoh cried, and sent his chariots after them (verse 5).

God specifically instructed Moses to camp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea (14:1).  When Pharaoh's armies approach, there they were -- trapped between the army and the sea! (Is that where we get the saying, Between the devil and the deep blue sea?) There was no way out -- and it was God Himself who led them there!

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  They Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still" (13-14).  And I will gain glory, said the Lord (17).

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind an turned it into dry land.  The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left (21-22).

We've been standing on the edge of the sea lately, the chariots bearing down on us.  The Lord had taken us to the edge of the sea, with no possible means of doing what we felt He had put in our hearts to do.  But last night He parted the sea and made a way for us!  We are overwhelmed by His provision for our family, and are giving God the glory!

Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?
Who is like you --
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?...
The Lord will reign
for ever and ever.

Exodus 15:11,18

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