Dry ground

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.                                    Heb. 11.29

The parting of the Red Sea is truly miraculous, but I wonder how the fleeing Israelites felt as they faced this phenomenon. Though there was a shorter route, God led the Israelites to the Red Sea for their own safety (Exod. 13.18). God also hardened the hearts of the Egyptians giving them a determination to pursue the fleeing throng. Was He deliberately setting the scene for a miraculous event?

The Egyptians were well equipped for pursuit and engagement, and they caught up with the Israelites. The Israelites turned on Moses accusing him of leading them into the desert to die. Moses’ response was to tell them not to fear, that God would deliver them and deal with the Egyptians.

At this juncture it seems that Moses is the person of faith. As they stood facing the impossible sea it was Moses who stretched out his hand, and the waters parted. It was not an instant act; we are told that God drove the sea back progressively through the night.

Finally, the Israelites were faced with a clear passage. To their right, the sea was held back by a wall of water; similarly, to their left. In between was dry ground. This challenging sight could well have wrought apprehension, even fear, in the minds of the Israelites – “What if the waters close when we are in the middle of the crossing?” We are not told of any fear, simply that the Israelites went through the sea in dry ground (Exod. 14.22). Where did their faith come from? Maybe Moses’ belief in the saving work of God turned them from accusation and fear to faith!

Lord, Mighty God,

Let me know this strong faith.

Use me, if You will, to infuse others in faith.

Amen.

Not afraid

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.              Heb. 11.23

Not a great deal is said in the Scriptures about the parents of Moses, but this brief reference affirms them to be people of strong faith.

Like much of the Bible narrative, the story is often so familiar to us that we do not consider the reality of what is being said. In truth, Moses’ parents had every reason to be extremely fearful of the king. The king had given explicit orders to all his people that every boy born within the Hebrew people was to be thrown into the Nile (Exod. 1.22). This order had been disobeyed and Moses’ parents would have faced extreme treatment if they had been found out.

But they were not fearful. At his earliest age, they were able to discern that their son was no ordinary child. They knew by faith that he had a destiny that they needed to preserve him for. Their faith was stronger than any fear that a human agency might whip up.

And this is true for us all. The faith God gives us will both strengthen and sustain. It may be quietly displayed but it gives the strongest assurance. I have faced no circumstances comparable with those that Moses’ parents experienced. If ever I should, may I know a faith similar to theirs.

Great God,

The gift of faith is a most wondrous thing. It carries us through the direst experiences and most severe challenges. I seek a deep faith. I ask, humbly, that You grant me, and grow in me, a deep faith.                Amen.

Promises

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.                               Heb. 11.22

God had promised to Jacob that He would accompany the Israelites to Egypt and would bring them back to the land He had promised them. (Gen. 46.4)

Jacob had been long dead but Joseph knew of the promise and he reminded his brothers of it when he knew that he himself was dying.

God may give a promise to an individual for him or herself alone. He may also make a promise that extends through generations. In all cases it is faith that enables us to hold to the truth of the promise. I can have faith that a promise God made to me will come true. This may happen in my lifetime or it might occur after my death. I can also believe for promises that God has given to others that might come to pass in my time, or even later.

I see it as vital to understand the promises that God has made – to hold on to them in the assurance that they will come to pass in time. Faith keeps God’s promises alive. This is ably shown in the examples cited in this chapter 11 of the letter to the Hebrews. There is a strong encouragement here for every believer. May we be wise and bold enough to receive God’s promises, to hold on to them, and to believe for the realisation of them in God’s appointed time.

Lord God,

I receive the insight that has come to me through this reading. Let me identify Your various promises and may I, in faith, stand in firm belief that each and every one will come to pass in the time that You declare for their fulfilment.                      Amen.

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