When You Really Need a Parting of the Red Sea

Inside: The parting of the Red Sea is one of the most epic miracles recorded in the Bible. What God did then, He still does today. What sea do you need God to part so you can walk through on dry land?

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The year was 1987, the era between thermoses and juice boxes, eight-track tapes and MP3 players. I had graduated from college and started my teaching career. I should have been on top of the world, but I was miserable. To my own surprise, I was suffering from the worst case of stage fright ever, exacerbated by having to stand in front of not-so-eager junior highers all day, every day.

I loved the students, just not the self-consciousness I felt all day long.

I became addicted to a sleep aid, which I took before reading Chuck Swindoll’s Come Before Winter every night. My mom visited and washed my dishes while I graded piles of students’ papers.

Somehow amidst the fog of commitments and sleep deprivation, I thought clearly enough to know I needed to get out of that career and get out fast.

Back in those days, job ads were posted in newspapers. Remember that? Every Saturday, I would drive 45 minutes to a neighboring city to buy a newspaper that carried ads for jobs in several towns in the region. One day on the drive, a rainbow arched over the highway. I knew it wasn’t just for me, but nonetheless I thanked God for His faithfulness: My stomach might have been in knots, and my eyes might have been sunken above dark circles, but I had food, shelter, clothing, and the sure hope that God would make a way.

Not long after seeing the rainbow, I spotted an ad for a proofreader. I applied for the position, landed an interview, and got the job. It led to a 30-year career in the publishing field. I spent my last $250 on a Ryder truck to move my belongings.

God split the sea. I walked through on dry land. I’ve never forgotten.

In Exodus 14, God records for us the phenomenal miracle of the Parting of the Red Sea. Remember that account from Sunday school or from the movie?

It’s a riveting story of the Israelites’ exodus from four centuries of slavery in Egypt. The Egyptian army pursuing them from behind, the Red Sea ahead, the throng of Israelites became trapped. Or so they thought. God had other ideas, because He is a God of possibilities.

That night, over one million people crossed the Red Sea on dry land.

What would a parting of the Red Sea look like in your life or that of a loved one?

Would it be

• release from an addiction?
• recovery from a health issue?
• healing of a relationship?
• strength to carry on, despite tragic or infuriating life circumstances?

God is in the business of parting Red Seas, even today. Be brave to ask for it:

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 John 5:14 ESV).

What sea would you like to ask God to part?

You can read portions of the account from Exodus below, and the Digging Deeper questions will give you space to meet with God.

To start the series “Have You Seen a Miracle?” from the beginning click here.

Have you experienced a miracle? I would love for you to tell us about it! Join the conversation below, or add a comment to the Digging Deeper with God Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DiggingDeeperwithGod. (Look for the post with the graphic “Have You Seen a Miracle?”)

Do you have questions about miracles? Do you wonder why the miracle sometimes does not come, or whether miracles are connected with faith? Stick with us! We’ll get to these questions as we make our way through this series.

Digging into God’s Word: Parting of the Red Sea

On their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites became trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea. There seemed no way of escape. Read Exodus 14 for the full account. Portions are reprinted for you here.

Portions of Exodus 14 (ESV)

13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.

Digging Deeper: Parting of the Red Sea

Cherish this time with the Lord. Reflect on or journal about the following questions, listening for what God has to say to you.

1. Look back at Exodus 14. What do you learn about God from this account?

2. Has God figuratively parted a sea for you or a loved one? Remember the details of the situation. What did you learn about God and yourself as you walked through the sea on dry land?

Help others know that God is still at work today! If you’ve experienced a miracle, share as much as you’re comfortable in the conversation below, or on the Digging Deeper with God Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DiggingDeeperwithGod. (Look for the post with the graphic “Have You Seen a Miracle?”)

3. What sea do you need God to part so that you can walk through on dry land? “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

4. Do you like to journal in the form of artwork? Consider drawing the scene depicted in Exodus 14:21-22 or what it would look like for God to part the sea in your life right now.

5. Worship with these songs as you reflect on miracles of long ago and even today. Choose one or all of the songs to listen to, or come back to these songs throughout the week.

No Longer Slaves (You Split the Sea) (Bethel; Jonathan David & Melissa Helser)

Miracles (Jesus Culture)

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Chris Tomlin)

God Will Make a Way (Don Moen)

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Find Past Series

You can find Past Devotions from other series on the website under the Devotions menu or at www.diggingdeeperwithgod.com/past-devotions/.

Three of the most popular series have been Lead Me to the Rock, Hope Springs Eternal, and All In: A Study of Elisha.

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I’m so glad you are here. Join us to Meet With God and Grow in Faith.

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