.
The Israelite people had been enslaved by a succession of Pharaohs
for over 400 years. With Moses as negotiator, and a number of devastating plagues
thrown in as additional incentive, the current Pharaoh relented and let Israel go free.
With Moses leading, Israel was on the march to freedom when Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. Egypt couldn’t give
up access to their entire (free) labor force so the army was sent to chase
Israel down and bring them back.
Israel was at the Red Sea when they saw the Egyptian army
approaching. Trapped and terrified they turned on Moses, blaming him for their
predicament and threatening to return with the army to their old life in Egypt, rather than die in place they didn’t know. “Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us
alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve
the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
What these folks didn’t understand was that Moses wasn’t
their savior, God was and His plan was not about to fail. They couldn’t see what
God was doing behind the scenes and didn’t have enough faith in Him – and angel
of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and
went behind them. They didn’t know about the miracle God was about to
do on their behalf – one that would have other Nations talking and in awe of them
for decades, and be recorded in history for us today.
….all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong
east wind and 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.
The Israelites didn’t understand that God’s spoken Word is eternal
and forever fixed in Heaven and He cannot break a promise.
The Egyptian army realized they were in trouble and tried
to retreat, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them
against Egypt.” Too late! They were no match for the Lord who watches over Israel!
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the
sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and
horsemen.”
Moses did as the LORD instructed and the entire army
perished. “The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire
army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them
survived.”
Not one Israelite was lost, all made it safely to the other
side.
By covenant God chose Israel to be His own special people
and even though they turned their back on Him repeatedly, He faithfully kept
His promise of protection over them...”He did not let anyone oppress them. He
warned kings on their behalf: ““Do
not touch my chosen people, and do not hurt my prophets.”” 1 Chronicles
16:21-22
Child of God, if you are in difficult circumstances, do not
despair. Remember, you too have been chosen. You have been adopted into God’s
family through Christ Jesus, because it pleased the Father to have you for Himself.
God is still in the business of protecting His own – He never changes. Do not be afraid; like Israel did in Egypt,
cry out to the Lord, your God. He hears you, He will rescue you. (Psalm 18:6) He may not reveal all that
He is doing, but trust that His wisdom is working to save you.
Your Father never breaks a promise, He will not fail you.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my
victorious right hand. See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. ..You will look in
vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to
nothing. For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your
God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’” Isaiah
41:10-13
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Righteous Father, we love, honor and adore
your Holy Name. Thank you that in our darkest moments we can cry out to the
Lord and Father; you hear us in Heaven when we pray for help and you rescue us.
Father, teach us to be still and wait while you work things out for our good
and we will give you all the glory! Thank you that you are always there, the
God of all comfort and the Father of mercies. Without you we are lost! With you
to fight for us we are victorious over every challenge and challenger. We are
so grateful! To you belong all dominion and power for ever and
ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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