And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

When The Lord Holds Back The Water

The Hebrews rejoiced as they prepared to leave the land they had called home for nearly four centuries. Life had become a bitter struggle as the Egyptians enslaved the people and made their lives hard with severe labor. Through the grace of God’s love, Moses had come to deliver the descendants of Abraham to fulfill a promise made many centuries before. The land of promise was near where the Hebrews lived in Goshen. If the people took the route by the sea, they could quickly arrive at the border of Canaan. When the time came for Moses to lead the people out of Egypt, the Lord led them roundabout through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. He told Moses to have the people camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea along the shore, across from Baal-zephon.

Pharaoh heard where the Hebrews had gone and thought they had gotten lost in the wilderness. He mustered his army, took all his horses and chariots, charioteers, and troops, and caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon. When the people saw the Egyptian army, they panicked and cried out to the Lord. Moses was not fearful because He knew God would deliver them. The plagues the Lord brought upon Egypt should have taught the Hebrews to trust in the power of God.  They would see another example of God’s power as they leave Egypt for the last time.

The Lord tells Moses to take his rod and raise it over the Red Sea. By the power of God, the sea was opened by a strong east wind that blew all night. A path through the water opened, allowing the more than two million souls to walk through the middle of the sea on dry land, with walls of water on each side. The parting of the Red Sea was a miracle matched only by the flood of Noah. God held the waters up to let His people pass. The Egyptians did not learn from the plagues that devasted their nation. They should have been warned against trying to destroy the Hebrews, especially having recently buried all their firstborn. Emboldened by rage and pride, Pharaoh sent his army into the sea where the people had walked. Just before dawn, the Lord confused the army, creating panic among the soldiers. As the day dawned, Moses held his rod above the waters and the waters returned and covered all the army of Pharaoh. All the Egyptians that chased the Hebrews into the sea perished. No one survived.

God held the waters back, allowing the faithful to walk safely to the other side. The same hand that held the waters back for the Hebrews let loose the waters upon the Egyptians to destroy them. All the Hebrews passed in safety, and all of the Egyptian army perished in the flood. God’s power saved, and His power destroyed. The Hebrews were rescued because of their faithfulness and trust in the word of the Lord. They had to have great faith to walk in the midst of the sea with waters abounding on both sides. There was no hesitation. They obeyed and were saved. The Egyptians believed they could find salvation like the Hebrews, not knowing the hand of the Lord would not save them but kill them.

The story of the Red Sea crossing declares the power of God and the need for faithful hearts to believe the word of the Lord. When the Hebrews came to the Red Sea, they thought they were trapped, and there was no hope. God brought them the way of the sea to test them and show His power. There was no hope to evade the Egyptian army as the people stood on the seashore. Moses told the people to wait and see the power of God; and they did. God held back the waters of the sea, and the people walked through. His power can do the impossible when it seems impossible because it is impossible for God to fail. The people believed, and they were saved by the hand of God.

There are times in life when the world seems like an impossible place. It can be like the people standing before the sea with no escape and the army of doubt coming to destroy. Waiting on the Lord and letting His power save in the day of darkness will allow the soul to walk on dry ground in the midst of a sea. God can deliver His people. Sometimes, He does it quickly; sometimes, it takes a wind blowing all night. He will never leave His people and leave them defenseless. The people trusted in the hand of the Lord to keep the waters away, and God did. When you trust in the Lord to keep the fears of the world at bay, you will find the peace that passes understanding as you walk on dry land. God does not lie. His hand will hold back the waters. He knows and cares. Let Him take away your fear. He can do some awesome things.