Life is filled with choices, decisions and turning points—whether we like it or not. We wonder: Should I take a leap of faith and follow my dream? Go on that mission trip I feel called to, but am not sure I can afford? Leave my job and stay home with my kids? Leave my kids and go back to work? Pursue something good and wonderful even if it pushes me beyond the limits of my finances, abilities, time or energy? Say yes to that volunteer opportunity? Walk away from something important?
I dream of the day God will speak to me from a burning bush, (or maybe it will be a burning frying pan on the stove?) send me a text, or deliver me an email to answer my questions, but I know better. God’s free will is a gift. But it requires our trust and dependence on him. And it demands we walk by faith—not by sight.
As you face major decisions or turning points in your life, there are two times God separated the waters in the Bible that provide great insight:
The first is found in Exodus 14 when the Israelite slaves were fleeing the Egyptians. As God instructed him to do, Moses reached out his staff and the Red Sea parted.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed… Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!”
When we read this story we might minimize the faith required by the Israelites to step into that vast riverbed. Since it was dry ground, we think “of course they wouldn’t hesitate to walk through!” They were being chased and would die either way—they seemingly had no choice. Still, imagine a sea as GIANT as the Red Sea, the water could recede at any moment. I’m sure there was fear and distrust, no matter how “dry” that sea bed looked.
It took an act of faith to step out onto the dry sea bed, with water rising up all around and warriors in hot pursuit.
Maybe you relate to this scenario today: the waters may be parted in front of you, and the ground is dry. You’re halfway there – you just have to conquer your fears and trust those waters won’t come crashing over you once you place your foot onto the dry sea bed.
Another time God separated the waters was when the Priests were carrying the Ark of the Covenant to it’s new home and they had to cross the river Jordan. (See Joshua 3 and 4)
“Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ … And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap….Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away,…So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”
Whoa.
This stepping out into the water—with the most precious treasure known to mankind in tow—was possibly a bigger step because they had to step into the water BEFORE it would recede. This was a conscious decision, not one born from necessity of life or death like the Exodus. They weren’t being chased, and the waters were at flood stage—higher than any other time of year.
The priests had to demonstrate their faith first by stepping into the water and then God would act and cut off the waters so they could walk through.
Maybe you relate to this scenario today: you see what’s before you, and you think it’s impossible. You see a river at flood stage and cannot believe anyone could step out into that with their precious cargo and expect God to Make a Way on DRY GROUND.
There are days I wish God would just build a bridge so I could cross the river of doubt with ease—away from any hint of water.
Our God is Faithful.
If he’s calling you, he will provide for you. If you are walking in his will, he will part the widest and deepest of seas for you.
Even if you think it’s impossible given your circumstances. In either scenario, the water is in front of you. The choice is yours.
[reminder]Will you step toward water or stay on the shore?[/reminder]