“Why Hast Thou Dealt Thus With Us?”

A few days back, I came across a saying about the Red Sea, and it got me to thinking. After the children of Israel left Egypt, they were pursued by Pharaoh and his army of chariots. They were encamped on the edge of the wilderness by the Red Sea when the army overtook them. They cried unto the Lord, and Moses told them, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you to day. . . The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:13a – 14). The Lord told Moses to “lift up his rod and stretch out his hand over the sea and divide it; and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea” (Exodus 14:16).

There are so many lessons that we can learn from this story. First, did you notice that God didn’t take the danger away? The Red Sea was still on one side and the Egyptian army was rapidly approaching from the other side. He didn’t remove the Red Sea, but He made a way for them to go through it. He does the same for us. Hard, difficult times come – but He will lead us through them, if we will let Him. But you know what – those children of Israel had to step out and walk through the midst of that sea. God didn’t immediately pick them up and move them to safety. They had to trust in His promises and courageously step out to walk down that path where the waters were heaped up on each side of them. God has promised to do His part, but we also have to do our part. And did you notice – that the path that God provided was completely dry ground? They didn’t swim over or wade in water up to their knees in the Red Sea. They didn’t even get their feet wet! God completely and totally took care of His children by providing them a safe, dry way out. He does the same for us when temptation comes our way. Paul told the church at Corinth, “There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13). God will provide a way, but we have to ASK, LOOK for the way, and then, TAKE IT!

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4a). Simply blessed, Courtney