Lessons In the Waiting: Red Sea Moments

When you think of Spring 2020 words like pandemic, quarantine, Covid 19 and toilet paper hoarding might come to mind. Yet through all the chaos and uncertainty there are many lessons to be learned in the waiting. This time is a gift from our loving God.

On Palm Sunday my husband and I watched the classic movie The Ten Commandments. Egypt had just received the judgement of God through several plagues and the Israelites were given their freedom and allowed to leave behind their lives of slavery.

The people were excited and feeling triumphant as they began their journey to the Promised Land. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and singing as they shouted praises to God for His protection and provision in providing the blood of the lamb that spared their lives during the Passover.

I imagine the joy they felt is similar to how a new believer feels when their bondage to a sinful life has been redeemed and they are now free to begin their journey to their Promised Land, Eternity with Christ.

Once the multitude arrived at the shores of the Red Sea they waited in anticipation of the journey ahead, until…..Pharaoh and his men arrived. As soon as they heard and saw the chariots their hearts and minds were filled with doubt and instantly they began to complain and forget the deliverance they had experienced at the hand of God.

I had a Red Sea Moment today. While running the financial reports for the month I was taken back by how little was on the books and my heart started to race. I’ve done everything I can do to collect payments and trim budgets and I still felt like I was backed into a corner and had no other options as the month end continues to approach.

At that moment the words of my husband came to mind, “What’s wrong with those Israelites? They just saw miracle upon miracle and how God was leading them and protecting them and still they doubt His ability to save them from a few Egyptians.”

Just yesterday in the blog I shared about trusting the daily dependence of God and today I’m worried about the month end? Shame on me.

Moses responded to the Israelites with the following words, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” (Exodus 14:13)

Then the Lord parted the waters of the Red Sea and the Israelites walked across on dry ground. Notice that the Lord took care of every detail. Wagons were not getting stuck in the mud and He held the waters until every last person and animal were safely on the other side.

Their deliverance had nothing to do with them and everything to do with God. They chose to focus only on what they could see rather than on the God who sees and delivers in miraculous ways. He did it thousands of years ago and He is still doing it today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

So the next time a Red Sea Moment arises I pray that I will remember the deliverance of the Lord that I have experienced many times and instead of worrying and complaining, I will find myself singing praises to the God who can part the seas and provide solid ground to walk on.

My Prayer

Father please forgive me for worrying and complaining. Daily You have provided for my every need and so much more. Help me to see these Red Sea Moments as opportunities to build my faith and trust in You. Help me to wait in faithful anticipation of what You will do next. Thank you for the deliverance You provided through Christ for me. I Love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Exodus 14:13

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.