Exodus 14:8–10 – And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly.

THEME OF THE DAY. RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS US. In today’s scripture, is a portion of the exodus of God’s people from their captivity in Egypt. Humanly speaking, they were between a rock and hard place. They stood on the shores of the Red Sea. Not the “reed” sea of a few inches of wade-able bog or marshland. This was the Red Sea as in deep sea, as in very deep sea, as in way over your head sea. Behind them was a huge cloud of dust and it wasn’t a sandstorm. Oh, it was a storm alright; a storm of very angry Egyptians on fast approaching chariots. And it wasn’t a sending off party or a “let’s get together and talk about you coming back to Egypt party.” God’s people were in an impossible situation with no humanly possible solution to overcome. They were also right where God wanted them and right where they needed to be; totally dependent upon Him for help.

Friends, we, too, must be in the exact same place in our lives; and that many times over. We need our own “shore of Red Sea experiences”. We cannot learn the truth Christ proclaims, “Without me, you can do nothing” unless we face impossible situations which are beyond our control to get through or change in the strength of ourselves (John 15:5). And when it comes to the Christian life, the lesson of total dependency and submission to God must be learned. As we consider this literal Red Sea story in the lives of God’s people, there are two lessons for us on the issue of total dependency on the Lord.

First, God will orchestra events, circumstances and situations to teach us our constant need of Him. Moses didn’t lead God’s people out of Egypt and to the shores of the Red Sea to build faith in His people. No, God led His people. Moses just happened to be the human instrument. If we are going to learn to walk by faith, develop faith, and glorify God in our dependence on Him, we must see all of life through the lens of God’s sovereignty. Nothing happens by chance or fate. There are no surprises. God is constantly at work in us through life’s circumstances and that work is spiritual; to teach us to walk dependent on Him as He puts us in situations requiring a total submission to Him. Don’t fret when trying times come. They are “Red Sea experiences” to teach us faith.

Another lesson from the Israelites is not in today’s scripture but happens soon after this great miracle of their deliverance. They forgot God’s power in rescuing them. They soon complained of Him. They got “spiritual amnesia” and failed to remember God’s faithfulness. And we are so like them. Often God must re-teach us the same spiritual lessons because we fail to remember His past provision and displays of power in our lives. And oh, what a wonderful and patient Teacher He is when we are slow to learn. His commitment and covenant to us is sure. If we fail to learn, He will not fail to teach. Yes, we may have a remedial class in His school of discipleship, but in His love, He will re-teach the lessons we desperately need to grow in our faith in Him.

So, the next time we come to the shore of another “Red Sea experience” in our lives, pause and remember. God has us right where He wants us and we need to be; in a situation taking us out of our ability to control so we will trust the One who is really in control.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for putting me in positions to abandon myself to You.”

QUOTE: “We must be in situations beyond our control before we totally trust Him who is in control.”