A Focal Point
The parting of the Red Sea is the parting act in God delivering his people from Egyptian slavery. Considered the single greatest act of salvation in the Old Testament, it is continually recalled to represent God’s saving power.
“He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him.” (Psalm 66:6)
As their past pursued them, God’s people faced what seemed an insurmountable obstacle in the Red Sea. They found themselves between a rock and a hard place, and they despaired.
In providing a way through, God delivered them from an impossible situation toward a prosperous future of fulfilled promises. Control over this fixed boundary became a defining pillar of God’s reputation and impacted how others acted towards God’s people.
“We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed… For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.” (Joshua 2:10; 4:23)
This powerful event remained a focal point for God’s people throughout their Old Testament journey. It became a point of reference for New Testament believers too, and it remains a source of encouragement for us still today.
Remember and Focus
God’s parting of the Red Sea reminds us of his power. Whether during worship or as we tell others about him, this event reminds us to praise him for all he’s done and to confess our desperate need for him.
“Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over?” Isaiah 51:10
“To him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:13
“He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness.” (Acts 7:36)
Recalling the parting of the Red Sea also points our focus toward what God will do. His future activity always exceeds even this defining event. In fact, he encourages us to look beyond it.
“This is what the Lord says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'” (Isaiah 43:16-19)
What’s Your Red Sea Event?
When were you last in an impossible situation that God miraculously delivered you from? Remember that moment and what led you there, just briefly.
Now, look beyond it and expect God to once again do the unexpected. Wait for him to again go beyond what you can even think to ask. Then, when he does it, move fully into your prosperous future.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20)
