Moses Red Sea

Devotions on Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29

Monday–Moses Red Sea

“And there were the Egyptians advancing on them” (Exodus 14:10a).

 There are times when we make mistakes and have to pay the price. We might fail to look both ways when we are backing out of the driveway and cause an accident, or we might be too engrossed in our cell phone that we walk into a post. At other times we cannot foresee or prevent an accident, but we are still adversely affected by it. An accident on the highway ties up traffic making us late and we have to face an employer who is angry at our tardiness.

The Israelites had done nothing wrong. They were obeying God and following their appointed leader, Moses. Still, they were cornered; the Red Sea lay before them and the Egyptian Army was closing in. It looked hopeless; it looked like they would be annihilated. They could only complain, which they did frequently, or turn to the Lord and trust in their God.

There are times when we come to the end of our rope—for whatever reason. We can’t hold on forever. When we finally let go we realize that God is there to catch us. Such is life in God’s kingdom.

Ever Present God, forgive us when we act rebelliously or foolishly. Protect us when life’s forces turn against us. Surround us with your love and empower us to trust in your care. Amen.

  

Tuesday–Moses Red Sea

“In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord” (Exodus 10b).

 We are a fearful people. Even the fearless fear something. Cameron was a fearless sixteen year-old. He had a severe case of YMIS—Young Man Immortality Syndrome. He didn’t think he could die. He did stuff on his snowboard, skateboard and surf board that no sane person would even think of trying. If you put Cameron in a small room, though, and shut the door he would go nuts. Cameron was afraid of small spaces; he was claustrophobic.

The Israelites were scared and the Lord spoke to them and told them not to fear. The command, “Don’t fear,” is the most frequent command in the Bible. A person can’t stop being afraid simply by deciding not to be afraid, though. It doesn’t work that way. The only way to stop being afraid is to find a reason not to be fearful. For people of faith, the reason is God.

There is nothing or no one who is bigger or more powerful than God. There is nothing that can separate people from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). God is moving for our benefit (Romans 8:28). God is present and in control. Because God is who God is, we can rest and not be afraid. It’s called trust.

 Faithful Lord, forgive our fearfulness. Remind us of your love and care. Keep our fear from hindering us in following you. Amen.

  

Wednesday–Moses Red Sea

“Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness” (Exodus 14:11)?

 The Israelites had taken several steps away from their comfort zone. They only knew slavery; freedom was a new concept for them. In Egypt others had made decisions for them and, though it wasn’t much, had provided for them. That security had been taken from them. Their lives had been harsh, but they had been comfortable in that they knew what to expect. Now they were walking where they had never before set foot and as they looked back, their previous lives looked very appealing.

We’ve experienced similar feelings. Remember the first day of kindergarten, the day we drove off to college finally free from our domineering parents or the day we walked down the aisle to begin life as a married person? We might have looked back and in so doing longed for what we had left behind. Yet, if we had not stepped out of our comfort zone, we would never had experienced the wonders of education or life outside the family, or taken responsibility for making our own decisions, or discovered the wonders of love and relationships. Part of life and faith is journeying where we have never walked before.

As we walk, God promises to go before us to lead the way, walk with us to encourage us and follow behind us to protect us from our enemies. When we fall, God promises to help us up and nudge us forward. Our comfort zone is not the old and familiar, but rather the Almighty God.

O Lord, you are our comfort and strength. Lead us forward that we may boldly face life and experience its fullness. Amen.

  

Thursday–Moses Red Sea

“Stand firm and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today” (Exodus 14:13).

Standing firm is easier said than done. We’re antsy people. We like to run ahead. Sometimes we run around—in circles. We may even decide to run away. Standing firm and standing still don’t make sense, especially for the Israelites with the Egyptian army marching toward them. Standing firm means to wait even when we crave to do something—anything.

One of the most difficult activities of the life of faith is to wait. Waiting is different than sitting in a pew basking in God’s grace or hiding and doing nothing. Faith waiting is to stand firm and still with anticipation.  We wait while we expect God to act. The Israelites struggled with doubt and fear, but they stood firm, and God parted the Red Sea.

O God of Action, help us to wait patiently for you to act when you call us to stand firm. Amen.

  

Friday–Moses Red Sea

“The Lord drove the sea back” (Exodus 14:22).

 A great deal of time and energy has been spent attempting to explain the parting of the Red Sea. For some people, the Red Sea is too big for them to imagine such a crossing. They point out a shallower and narrower body of water called the Sea of Reeds is probably a more likely crossing point. Other people who are interested in this Bible passage have tried to explain how the east wind could have rolled back the waters and have provided dry land on which the Israelites could cross. Though such exercises may be important, they miss the point of the story.

The God of the Israelites is the God of all creation. God is so great that God could part the waters. The people of Israel passed through the waters to escape slavery and experience freedom. The great God of Israel then conquered the most powerful army, at that time, in the world.

This same God is our God. We are God’s people and we live trusting that God will move in our lives each day as God moved in the lives of the Israelites.

Almighty God as you moved in the lives of the Israelites, so move in our lives. We may not need any Red Seas parted, but we constantly need your presence, power, love and grace in our lives. Amen.

  

Saturday–Moses Red Sea

“The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground” (Exodus 14:22).

 In the Bible, bodies of water are often seen to be the realm of chaos. People who have been on a small boat in the middle of a lake when a storm came up can relate to feeling that water can be chaotic. When the waves roll and the boat goes up, down and sideways it can be terrifying and confusing. The times when the storms of life roll in upon us and toss us about can be terrifying and confusing—chaotic, too.

God overcame the chaos. Instead of raging seas, the Israelites have dry land. They walked on that dry land out of Egypt and a life of slavery into a new life. The lives of the Israelites were moving from chaos to order as they followed God.

Chaos is not a pleasant place to be. At times we cannot escape it. Our God, though, is more powerful than the chaos. God moves to bring us out of the chaos of our lives into the order of a life of faith.

O God of Order, our lives are frequently chaotic and we wander confused and terrified. Calm the waves and split the waters. Empower us to follow you boldly. Amen.

  

Sunday–Moses Red Sea

“The waters covered the chariots, chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh” (Exodus 14:28).

 We look for strength and security in all of the wrong places. We take comfort in the growth of our 401k’s, which are caused by a strong stock market. A good performance review at work convinces us that our job is safe for another period of time. House, car and possessions provide a barrier between us and the threats of life.

Egypt was a powerful nation. At the time of Moses, Egypt was probably the most powerful nation on earth. It had the greatest army and the latest military technology. Egypt was also the richest nation. The Egyptians took comfort in these facts. They felt safe and secure. Yet, their army was annihilated by the powerful God of the Israelites.

The fleeting things of this world do not provide adequate safety and security. Only God Almighty, the God of all creation can do that. As the Psalmist writes, “O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem” (Psalm 130:7).

O God, you are our strength and security. Help us keep our eyes on you. Amen.