Today’s Devotion
Topic: Pharaoh Will Know That I Am God! (Part 5)
Text: Exodus 14: 16
16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. Amen
After the Lord had told Israel to MOVE ON, He went on to instruct Moses, saying “Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” (Exodus 14: 16-18).
“Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” (Exo 14: 19-22). Halleluyah!
Beloved do you now see that Jehovah had a plan all along? It is expedient that we trust Him to the end. He had told Israel that His aim was to gain glory through Pharaoh and that was exactly what He had been about till now.
Though it might have seemed to the Israelites that the Egyptian army was too close for comfort, the Lord built a huge barricade between them, making it impossible for the one to cross over and attack the other. Then He showed Moses what to do to part the Red Sea so that Israel could cross on dry land.
Walking through the sea may have brought some relief to “faith-less” Isreal; yet it also may have presented a whole new challenge to fearful hearts. Thoughts like “what if this well of water on our right and left collapses on us?” Or “What if Pharaoh breaks through the barricade holding him back and pursues us while attempting to cross this red sea”, could have been on their mind every step along the way.
Such negative thoughts are enough to obstruct the work of God in our lives. That is why we must trust Jehovah all through to the end. He who has promised us is faithful. He does not lift us up to let us down. The same great God who commanded Israel to change direction and camp by the sea, is still the same who blocked Pharaoh from reaching too close and has now made a way for Isreal through the sea, on dry land. There is absolutely no reason to doubt or fear unless you want to.
Beloved, your own life too, though with many twist and turns, remains very safe in the Lord’s hands. He is able to make a way even where there is no way. Begin to pray now. Ask the Holy Ghost to help increase your faith by the study of His word so that you can continue to trust God’s salvation no matter the storm or adversity. You will definitely cross safely to the other side, far and away from Pharaoh in Jesus name.
Tomorrow we will see if Pharaoh, after seeing all these wonders, will pack and go home- giving glory to God or that he will be stubborn and still pursue God’s people because the Lord had hardened his heart to GAIN GLORY FOR HIMSELF.
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