April 5
“By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land—which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.”
Hebrews 11:29
“Nothing is impossible with God.”
That’s the message Gabriel gave to Mary that day when she tried to understand how she, as a virgin, could give birth to Jesus (Lk. 1:37). That’s also the message the angels gave to Sarah that day when she laughed within her tent after being told she’d give birth the next year at the tender age of 90 (Gen. 18:14). And, when the disciples had difficulty understanding Jesus’ words after the rich young ruler went away sorrowful, He once again reiterated this eternal truth by saying “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Mt. 19:26).
And, if there was ever a time that message needed to be believed, it was that day when Moses and some 2-3 million former slaves stood at the edge of the Red Sea (Ex. 13:18; 14:1-2).
On either side of them were towering mountains. Coming up fast behind them was an enraged Pharaoh, 600 chariots and his mighty army, their helmets and shields glistening in the sunlight (14:8-9).
And, in front of them lay the Red Sea—that great body of water that stretches almost 1,400 miles from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south and is 220 miles wide at its widest point. It has a maximum depth of 7,254’ in the central median trench and an average depth of 1,608’.
So, needless to say, their situation seemed hopeless.
No wonder they were “sore afraid and cried out unto the Lord” (Ex. 14:10). And, no wonder they lambasted Moses and said “Why have you brought us out here into the wilderness to die?!? At least in Egypt we had graves to be buried in!” (vv.11-12).
But, such is always the case when fear reigns instead of faith.
We begin blaming others. We begin seeing the “inevitable” instead of the “Invisible.” We start fretting and fuming instead of resting in “the God of the Impossible.”
Yet, it need not be that way, Pilgrim—not when we remember to “Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. . .remembering that He will fight for us. . .and will make a way when there seems to be no way” (vv.13-14). Hallelujah!!
Yes, truly, our God specializes in “impossible” situations.
Contrary to popular belief, the Israelites passed through the Red Sea that day on DRY ground, not muddy, marshy soil (vv.16, 22a). On either side of them was a wall of water (v.22b); but, in front of them and with them was an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God.
And, He’s still with you today as “a VERY PRESENT HELP in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).
You may not see Him. You may not even “feel” His Presence. But, do not fear, weary one; the Risen Lord is faithful and has promised to give us what we need when we need it (I Cor. 10:13; II Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:19). So trust Him. Rest in Him. He’ll make a way.
