Red Sea Rule #4 (Exodus 14:10)

PRAY!

Can you think of a time when you cried out to the Lord in a moment of desperation or need?

What do you remember about the situation? If you were anything like the Israelites, you were begging for a life-saving way out. They saw the rolling Red Sea in one direction and heard the approaching Egyptian army from the other. The Message reads, “They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to God” (v. 10b).

And this wasn’t really even a cry of faith! They followed it up by asking Moses why he took them out of Egypt just to let them die in the wilderness. “Weren’t the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here to die…?” (v. 11, The Message)

But even if their prayer wasn’t filled with faith, at least they prayed it. At least the Israelites showed us that “when we can’t press forward, move sideward, or step backward, it’s time to look upward and to ask God to make a way” (Morgan, 44).

Do you ever hesitate to cry out to God, thinking that if He was going to fix a situation, He would have done it before now OR that He would never let things get so out of control? No? Just me? Well, it is in the seemingly improbable and impossible times that I learn best to let go and to let God do things in His time and in His way.

I recently cried out to God concerning a financial situation for someone I love. Several voices told her not to expect any assistance from her insurance company and they sounded like thundering Egyptians to our ears. Knowing we needed reinforcements, I invited several others to pray for the ‘Red Sea of bureaucracy’ to open up, allowing the needed monies to become available. Week after week, it was incredible to see claims being approved. The naysayers had said, “They’ll never approve this and, if somehow they do, it’ll just be for a few days of treatment.” And yet, forty-two days later, everything was covered (minus the deductible, of course).

Robert Morgan pointed out, “God doesn’t always say yes to all our requests, but He listens with unusual attentiveness when two or three gather in united prayer – and He responds in His own way and time with power and wisdom.”

Does God welcome crisis-time praying? Here’s one possible response: “Humble yourself, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (I Peter 5:6-7). How can you work on a stronger set of prayer habits during this season?

Questions to Ponder:

·       Can you think of a time when you cried out to God in a moment of desperation or need? Jot down your recollection of the occasion.

·       How can prayer help us transition from panic to peace AND from peace to praise?

Red Sea Rule #3 (Exodus 14:5-9)

Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.

In Exodus 14, we read of the Israelites making their way into wilderness in an effort to put distance between them and the country of their oppression. Having experienced God’s miraculous provision of escape, it seemed a no-brainer that the journey to freedom would be worry-free.

But, meanwhile, back in Egypt … the Pharaoh and other leaders were waking up to the reality that their slaves were gone, really gone. And they didn’t like that one bit. So, they went after the Israelites. More than 600 chariots – along with horses, officers, and troops – began their thundering pursuit.

I wonder when the Israelites knew they were in trouble. I imagine that, even while the Egyptians were a long way off, the ground began to shake (remember the animal stampede scene in ‘Lion King’?) and there was a general feeling of uneasiness and dread. But, sooner rather than later, they knew: the enemy was coming!

Robert Morgan points out that “Satan doesn’t surrender his prey without a fight. He comes racing after the converted soul, chariot wheels churning the dust, seeking to discourage you, to defeat you…. He tries to trap you in difficulty, to entangle you in trouble, to corner you in impossible situations, to lure you into temptation” (34).

In Ephesians 6, we’re directed to “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Jesus’ brother James reminds us to “resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (4:7-8).

And then there are Peter’s words: ‘Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith….” That lion acts like Scar, not Mufasa or Simba.

Morgan concludes, “When things are going badly, when you feel trapped between sword and sea, when you’re under assault, acknowledge the devil – but keep your eyes on Christ. He will see you through. He will make a way” (40).

Questions to Ponder:

·      Grab a few index cards and write out the scriptures mentioned above. Then place them in strategic places as a reminder of God’s protection amid the enemy’s presence.

·      What are you thinking & feeling when you consider you may be under enemy attack?

  

Hebrews 12:2 tells us to look to Jesus during times of difficulty. What are some practical ways of doing that during your present set of circumstances? 

Red Sea Rule #2 (Exodus 14:3-4)

Be more concerned for God's glory than your relief.

Recently, we learned that 'God means for you to be where you are.' Were you relieved OR did you feel a little bit betrayed? Why would He want me here? And not just me ... why does He want THE WHOLE WORLD in this situation?

Author Robert Morgan challenges us to reconsider the questions we're asking. "Instead of asking, 'How can I get out of this mess?' try asking, 'How can God be glorified in this situation?' One's perspective is entirely changed by the spiritual realities behind that approach. It's like switching on floodlights in a dark stadium" (21).

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You might remember that Jesus faced a pretty tough scenario as He entered the Garden of Gethsemane with his disciples shortly after his ‘last supper’ with them. His agonizing prayer of 'Not my will but yours be done' actually started with 'if there's another way this can go, I'm open to it.' But His anguish-filled submission to the Father's plan modeled for us what it means keep our focus on the bigger, better purpose.

It wasn’t a coincidence that we walked through the first part of our corona-virus quarantines during the weeks leading up to Easter. Perhaps you took the time to read through one (or all) of the Gospels to be reminded of Jesus' journey of purpose and sacrifice, not comfort and self-seeking. (If you didn’t then, you’ve still got time now!)

Robert Morgan points out that "God doesn't waste suffering. If He leads us into impossible spots, He will deliver us in His own time, in His own way, and for His name's sake" (24).

Have you encountered past heartaches which, in time, resulted in your good and God's glory? Be thinking of a word of testimony you can share with your small group (or email me!). Your 'survival' encourages and acts as a reminder that God can -- and will -- do it again!

Questions to Ponder: (RSR, 30)

·        According to Exodus 14:3-4, why did God lead His people to the edge of the sea?

·        Can you think of other biblical heroes or people you currently know who faced great problems in the past that later turned out for their good and for God’s glory?

·        Have you encountered past heartaches which, in time, resulted in your good and God’s glory? (Yes, I know this is the same question as above but hopefully you’ll take a moment and actually answer it now.)

·        Why not compose a simple prayer right now to reflect a changed perspective on the way you’ve been viewing your Red Sea dilemma?

Red Sea Rule #1 (Exodus 14:1-2)

Realize that God means for you to be where you are.

For some, this 'rule' brings a smile to your face because this time of 'social distancing' brings much-needed 'me time' or family time or catch-up-on-projects time or, well, you-fill-in-the-blank time.

For others, this is perplexing because 'social distancing' means too much 'me time' or family time. :) OR it means you can't work which means you can't make money which means, well, it means the dominoes start falling. OR maybe you struggle with anxiety and depressing, and all of this change and uncertainty is making you feel ALL the feels. OR ... well, there are a lot of other ORs.

Author Robert Morgan says to "take a deep breath and recall this deeper secret of the Christian life: when you are in a difficult place, realize that the Lord either placed you there or allowed you to be there, for reasons perhaps known for now only to Himself."

The times in the past when I have picked up this book, I have found myself in places I really, really, really didn't want to be. Somehow, being reminded that where I was didn't surprise God was a huge relief. It was then that I could begin to open my heart and mind to the possibility that He would meet me there and use the situation to teach me, change me, and show me something of Himself I couldn't learn any other way.

 

So, here we are. Being side-tracked by COVID-19 may be central in our news feeds right now but I imagine a lot of us have other things screaming for our attention as well. Take that deep breath, underline and/or memorize John 16:33, and then cling to this promise:

"The same God who led you IN will lead you OUT."

Questions to ponder (RSR, 17):

·         Red Seas come in all shapes and sizes. What’s the Red Sea you’re focusing on for this journey?

·         Why is life so hard? Why do problems persist? Why do we encounter these Red Seas?

·         Be honest – how have you been initially reacting to your own Red Sea experience, whatever it is?

·         How can embracing Rule #1 affect your response?

Red Sea Rules thru the Lens of COVID-19

Do you know about The Red Sea Rules? It's a small book by Robert Morgan with '10 God-given strategies for difficult times.' Mary Lynn Kirby gave me my first copy about 10 years ago. Since then, I have been encouraged repeatedly by these insights, especially in challenging seasons. I think it's time I revisit them and want to invite you along for the ride. They're based on the story in Exodus 14 of when the Israelites were sandwiched between the Egyptian army in hot pursuit on one side and the vastness of the Red Sea on the other. These 'rules' are reminders that 'even in the midst of seemingly impossible situations, God promises to make a way for us.'

To set up the study of the book, let’s consider the context of the biblical story:

·         Why were the Israelites in Egypt? (Hint: Joseph sold into slavery, etc., etc.)

·         Why were they no longer favored in Egypt? (Exodus 1:6-14)

·         What about Moses’ upbringing made him uniquely prepared for the task God called him to? (Exodus 2:1-10 and Acts 7:20-22)

·         Why was he so hesitant to follow God’s command to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? (Exodus 3:11, 4:1-13 and Acts 7:23-29)

·         What did God do to get Pharaoh ready to finally let the Israelites leave Egypt?

(Exodus 6:28 – 12:36)

·         How did God set the Israelites up for success? What supernatural elements did God provide to direct and protect the Israelites? (Exodus 13:17-22)

·         Curious about what this might look like on a map? Check out this link. Click on the map to get a magnified view.