The God of breakthrough - The Red Sea

    In Exodus 14, the Israelites who had been slaves to the Egyptians for many years, are finally free. However, when the Egyptians realise that they have released the help they had come to depend on, they decide to pursue after them. It turned out that the Lord had lead the Israelites through a particular path where they would be trapped. The Egyptians saw this as their opportunity to get them back.
    With the Egyptians marching behind them and the Red Sea in front, the Israelites saw no way of escape. They were indeed trapped. They cried out to God and to Moses. Moses encouraged them not to be afraid because God would deliver them. He also promised that they would never see their enemies again. The Angel of the Lord who was in front of them, moved and positioned Himself behind them, thus protecting them from the Egyptians, while God made a way for them. As Moses stretched out his hand toward the Sea, a strong east wind blew during the night and parted the waters until they stood like a wall on two sides. The Israelites were able to walk between them on dry ground. The Egyptians tried to follow but God removed the wheels from their chariots so that they moved with difficulty. Too late, they realised that God was fighting for the Israelites. After the Israelites reached the other side safely, Moses stretched out his hand again over the waters and they moved back into place drowning the entire Egyptian army. 
    At times, we may find ourselves in situations where we may feel trapped. We can’t see any way out. It is at this point that we can choose to complain or to trust. As fear overwhelms us, the temptation to complain may most often prevail. When we can’t see God and we don’t understand what is happening or why He is allowing it to happen, we may quicker respond to fear instead of faith. Yes, we know what God’s Word says and we know that He is able, but when faced with a real challenge, it can be hard to see a way through. 
    I am sure that this is how the Israelites felt. They had seen what God had done in Egypt through the various plagues, yet, memory may have failed them as they found themselves faced with a new trial. They naturally began to complain as they saw the possibility of losing their recently acquired freedom. Yet, if God delivered them before, He would do it again…and He did. God had allowed them to be in a situation where they were completely powerless. He wanted them to see how He was able to break them free from a hopeless situation because He wanted them to learn to trust Him. 
    It’s the same with us. There is no situation we go through that is too hard for our God. As I mentioned last week, a breakthrough from a biblical perspective, is a sudden, powerful act where God steps in. The Israelites needed their God to step in. They were completely powerless before the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. But, what was too hard, even impossible for them, was not too hard for their God. It’s interesting that before they died, even the Egyptians realised that it was God who was fighting for the Israelites (v.25). God got the glory even from their enemies!
    Whatever you may be going through, God is right there with you. You may not feel Him or see Him but He is there. As His child, He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. The Israelites had to wait while that east wind blew to part the waters. But while they waited, the Angel of the Lord positioned Himself between them and their enemies. Their enemies could not touch them while they waited. They were safe! It’s the same with us. While we wait for deliverance, healing, restoration, breakthrough, God is protecting us, preventing the enemy from being able to destroy us. Yes, the enemy may feel very near, but our God is even nearer, dictating how far the enemy can actually go. 
    Our God of breakthrough will come through, in His own way and time. He will not fail you. Be encouraged!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God is a God of breakthrough. He knows exactly how and when to step in and bring the relief we need. He will never fail us. He is nearer than we think. Just trust Him.

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