The Israelites were God’s chosen people; yet they were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. They originally fled to Egypt to escape a famine in their own land. A change in Egypt’s leadership and circumstances suddenly caused a turn and they became slaves in the land where they had sought refuge. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. (Ex 1:12) Even in the midst of their oppression they multiplied. They grew in number and they grew in resilience. They were praying and pleading for God to deliver them for 400 years, yet they endured and gained strength. God promised a way out, but he didn’t promise they could pick the route.

Scripture
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. (Ex 14:21) So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. (Ex 14:27-29)

Verses
Ex 1:12; 14:21, 26-29, 31; Ro 8:28; 1 Co 10:13

Thought
Often life doesn’t turn out the way you plan. Sometimes the very thing you want so much, that thing that you are sure will bring you joy, happiness or security ends up being a source of stress and anxiety or even a prison. When we pray for God to bring us out of a situation, to guide us through something we are dealing with, we often can’t see a way out… or maybe we do have a route in mind, but there’s a good chance it’s not the one God has planned. When the Israelites finally escaped their slavery in Egypt, Moses led them to the Red Sea where they were pinned between the sea ahead of them and Pharaoh’s army at their heels. God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea and the waters parted. The Israelites walked across on dry land. When they were all safely on the other side, God moved through Moses and the waters flowed back and drowned the Egyptian army, their horses, chariots, everything. You can view your situation as hopeless, yourself as trapped, your life as ruined, or you can find strength and confidence in the God who parts seas; you can grow resilient through your trials. Though the waters stand on either side of you, God will keep your feet on dry land if you trust in him. He will bring you through.

Questions
What’s the most difficult situation you have been through? How did you hold up? What did God teach you during that time? Who has been an example to you of someone who has been through the fire and stood strong? How does your perspective of a situation affect how you endure?

Response
Pray for God’s will in your life. What you want may not be what’s best, so be sure to end your requests with, “not my will but thy will be done.” Stop complaining about your difficulties. Trust God to bring you through even if the route he chooses isn’t the one you had planned.

Pray
Gracious God, I come to you asking that you keep my eyes on the dry ground beneath my feet. I know you provide a way for your children in every situation. No matter the route, your presence makes all the difference. Help me to grow in strength and resilience through any and every circumstance. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.