The life we live is complexly amazing and it is given to us in doses, seasons, moments, and episodes as captured in Ecclesiastes 3. One such moment that is inevitable to every man in life is what we can call the ”Red Sea Moment” -times when we find ourselves trapped between two impossible situations, where only divine intervention can provide a way out.
In Exodus 14:10-13, the bible gives us a sense and the feelings as well as the negative attitude of the Israelites when they faced the Red Sea moment on their way to the promised land from the land of their captors(Egypt). With the Red Sea before them and Pharaoh’s army closing in behind, they were filled with fear, despair, and a tendency to forget God’s past faithfulness. Red sea moments are often characterized by a feeling of despair, helplessness, lack, being caught up between an enemy closing in behind and a red sea in front, an overwhelming tendency to forget the past goodness of God, a tendency to compliant, murmur, and doubt about our relationship with God. These are times when the best human efforts and expertise fall short, leaving us reliant only on God’s miraculous intervention. It is a time of trouble marked with an urgent need for help, whose solution is beyond the capacity of man to proffer.
How we handle these moments greatly influences our journey in life.
Here are 3 ways of surviving Red Sea Moments:
1. Maintain a focus on God
What we focus on is what we attract. Our focus determines our outcome. If we fix our eyes on victory, we will emerge victorious. Look to Jesus and trust in His saving power.
Psalm 34:5, states, ”They looked to Him and were radiant and their faces were not ashamed.” This verse confirms the advantage of looking to Jesus.
Consider Peter in Matthew 14:29-30, which states, ”So He said, ”come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ”Lord, save me!”. He walked on water towards Jesus until he shifted his focus to the storm, at which point he began to sink. Likewise, Moses saw the salvation of the Lord and led the Israelites forward, while the people, focusing on the problem, began to murmur in fear.
CAUTION: Be intentional about maintaining a good and positive focus in that situation. What we focus on is what we attract. You cannot feature in a future you have not pictured in your mind. Fix your eyes on God, and He will make a way for you.
PRAYER: May God grant us the grace to intentionally focus on Him in our Red Sea moment in Jesus’ name. Amen.
2. Recognized That Red Sea Moments Are For Our Formation
Always remember that sometimes God deliberately leads us by the way of the Red Sea at some points in our lives, not because he lacks alternatives but because He wants to shape and prepare us for greater things. He is aware of our situation. He is all-knowing and nothing takes Him by surprise. He allows red sea moments for our hardness.
The Bible in Exodus 13:17, states, ”Then it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, ”Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” This confirms that God had other routes, but He chose to take the Red Sea path to form and strengthen them for the future ahead of them.
When we encounter challenges, we must always remember that God is the master planner as far as the life of a believer is concerned and that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose as captured in Romans 8:28.
CAUTION: Always be conscious that God’s pathways are higher than our ways. Trust His process, even when the path seems difficult.
PRAYER: Lord, grant us the grace to always recognize Your presence and purpose in our Red Sea Moments in Jesus’ name. Amen.
3. Seek guidance and direction from God
In times of trouble, our best response is to turn to God in prayer for guidance. Seek the face of the Lord for direction concerning the situation. Listen and be obedient to instructions.
Apostle Paul in one of his prison epistles to the Philippians prescribed a helpful approach that one should employ when turning to God as captured in Philippians 4:6, which states, ”Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” After which the peace of God will find expression in that situation.
The Psalmist in Psalm 50:15, also states, ”Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will glorify me. Similarly, Jeremiah 33:3, assures us, ”Call to me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.”
When the Israelites cried out to God, He responded to Moses. The Bible in Exodus 14:15-16, states, ”And the Lord said to Moses, ”Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground the midst of the sea.” Moses obeyed, and the Red Sea parted, leading to their victory.
CAUTION: Let us always turn to God in prayer and supplication in every circumstance for guidance and trust in His saving grace. Trust and obey His instructions and lean not on our understanding.
PRAYER: Lord, make your ways known to us and help us always to seek Your guidance in our Red Rea Moments in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Conclusion
Red Sea Moments are certainly unavoidable, yet following God with firm devotion and understanding His higher plan together with seeking His spiritual direction will lead us to victory through such challenges. No obstacle is too formidable for God because He controls every circumstance and will manufacture a pathway from the apparent dead end.
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