Crossing Your Red Sea
Today’s Verse:
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. ~Hebrews 11:29
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. It borders six countries. This salty sea is just over 190 miles across at its widest point, and about 1,200 miles in length. There’s a measured maximum depth of 8,200 feet, and an estimated average depth of 1,640 feet.[1] Needless, to say it is a large body of water! It is most famous for its miraculous parting as Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. In Hebrews 11:29, we see how faith was an integral part of the miraculous crossing. This morning, let us consider the importance of faith and crossing your Red Sea.
We see the participation in faith.
“By faith they….” No individual name is mentioned here regarding faith. Although this verse is listed with the deeds associated with the faith of Moses, there is more than the faith of Moses in this verse. The participation in faith is when God moves His leader to move a congregation to step out in faith. The “they” includes Moses, his wife, his son Gershom, Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, Caleb, Eleazar, and many others. The exercise of faith is not exclusive to just a giant of the faith like Moses, but it is also an opportunity for God’s people to see God do great and mighty things.
We see the passage through faith.
“By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land.” The Red Sea was overflowing its banks prior to the miraculous crossing. After a few feet from the bank, it sloped progressively downward and was very deep. A large number of the Israelites were pregnant women, babies, small children, elderly, and those who were physically infirmed. Seeing a large, massive body of water like that would paralyze anyone from trying to attempt a crossing. However, faith made a way. They passed through because they had faith that God would make a way. Notice: “By faith they passed through….” They went from one side to the other. Everyone, together, made it across. This is a beautiful picture of salvation. When a sinner accepts Jesus Christ as Saviour, he is passed from death to life. Faith removes all obstacles and sees the way across.
We see the potent in faith.
“They passed through the Red sea as by dry land.” God sent a wind that parted the waters and dried the muddy seabed. Every Hebrew walked on dry land as they made it across. They had faith that God would make their way passable and possible. Their faith in God transformed an impossible situation into a possible situation. How much faith did they have? Probably very little, but Jesus said that if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. What God did demonstrated His power as they prayed and believed God for a way through. No Israelite walked on mud or in water. They saw the waters parted and a massive wall of water on both sides.
We see the presumption of faith.
“…Which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.” The Egyptians presumed that they could cross over, but, instead, the massive sea water crashed on them as they pursued Israel and every Egyptian in that seabed drowned. You cannot tag along with someone else’s faith and think that it will get you across. You must have a humble faith in a powerful God to make a way that only He can do. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Whatever your Red Sea, it is possible to cross it by faith.
Have a faith-filled God Morning!
[1] “Red Sea Map And Map Of The Red Sea Depth Size History Information Page,” WorldAtlas, http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/redsea.htm, (September 13, 2019).
Bible Reading Schedule: Hosea 1-7