Exodus 14  If you have never read Robert Morgan's book, Red Sea Rules,  I highly recommend it!  His look at the lessons from this chapter in Exodus are so encouraging and insightful...  Even now as I think on this great event in the redemption of the nation of Israel.. I can't help but remember Morgan's first rule, "Realize that God means for you to be where you are." 

God directed Moses and the people of Israel to a specific place "before Pihahiroth, between Migdo and the sea, over against Baalzephon."  Couldn't get more direct than that!  They were in a place with no way out. The Egyptians were coming after them.. the Red Sea was before them.. BUT..  they were in the exact place that God wanted them to be. 

The Lord hardened Pharoah's heart. The people of Israel were scared and angry at Moses for leading them out of Egypt, thinking that they would be better off to die there.  Moses.. on the other hand.. was learning how to trust and obey.  "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." (v13-14) 

Then Moses lifted up the staff and the waters of the Red Sea divided so that there was water standing "like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left." The people walked through the sea on dry ground! When the Egyptians began to follow.. the Lord caused them to get "confused".. the wheels on their chariots began to swerve.. and before they could turn around and run the Lord ordered Moses to stretch out his hand and the water came back down.. washing away the whole army of Egyptians. 

Finally, the Israelites "saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians.. "  Finally, they "feared the Lord and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses." 

Would they have believed if God had not led them to where He did?  They should have believed already.. but, they seemed to forget all that God had already done!  Don't we have that same problem?  God brings us through our struggles and trials.. and we are so thankful.. for a while.  But, when another problem arises.. we begin to worry and fret.. afraid that God won't help us this time.  We need to remember that our God can make a way.. or as Robert J. Morgan writes, "The same God who leads us in will lead you out." We serve a mighty God who cares about us!

Father in heaven,  we never know what another day might hold.. but we are so thankful that You do... and that You lead us right where You want us to be.  We trust Your perfect plans.. even when we are in impossible places.. for You are the God who splits the Sea and moves mountains.. and brings about good for those You call to Yourself.  Help us to remember and believe.. to obey and to keep trusting You.  Teach us Your ways and let Your will be done. We ask this in the name of our gracious Lord,  Your beloved son, Jesus Christ. Amen.