Walking to Freedom

Moses, in obedience to God, has led the Israelites out of slavery and oppression in Egypt and they are camped at the edge of the Red Sea. They are feeling vulnerable, yet the Lord has everything in control. The angel of God that had been leading them as a cloud moves to the rear of the camp and changes to a fire. Moses holds up his hand over the sea and the Lord brings a strong wind that opens a path through the water. Then the Israelites have to walk. They are walking away from Egypt and all that lay behind them, as well as walking towards the promised land ahead of them. I imagine there may have been some anxiety in their hearts as they took that journey across the sea bed. They were walking away from all they knew and were familiar with, and heading to a place they had only heard about, which was completely unknown to them. And they had to walk, one step at a time, plodding across the sea bed, hoping that the waves would hold up.

I actually found, as I was thinking about this passage this week, that I really related to it. God may bring a major breakthrough in your life. These are not regular occurrences, but infrequent. They are very deep things that you have been crying out to God, often for many years, for. The breakthrough comes, and you are praising God. He opens the way for you to go forward with the new-found blessing of your breakthrough. It’s like you start that journey across the sea bed. You are moving away from where you were and you are now heading towards your own ‘promised land.’ What does He call you to do? Walk, one step at a time, with Him. The journey is not always as easy as you think it should be. You feel vulnerable and can’t see the big picture of what He is doing.

For the Israelites news of the Egyptians’ pursuit spreads through the camp like wildfire. It is their worst nightmare come true. They were so close to getting away and freedom looks like it will slip through their fingers. But they keep on walking under the cover of the Lord’s protection. All the Israelites come through the sea and stand on the seashore. Then the moment comes when they turn around and see that God has delivered them, the waves have crashed down on the entire Egyptian army! Their enemies are gone forever. Those who had oppressed, mocked, used and abused them for 400 years are destroyed by the hand of the Lord. Imagine how they felt as they looked across the Red Sea. Today’s scripture says “they were filled with awe before him.” Now they are free to walk away from their past and go to the promised land.

Maybe today you are somewhere along this journey. You could be just saved, and, as a new disciple, you are starting the journey of freedom. You could be on the cusp of your major breakthrough. You could have had your major breakthrough and you are, figuratively speaking, walking through the Red Sea, going from where you have been to where God is taking you. You are not yet free, but you are heading towards the fulfilment of God’s promises to you. Or you could be standing on the shore, turning around to see that the Lord has completely delivered you from those who are against you and releasing you from any obstacles that would stop you from receiving the fullness of His promises to you. God is totally with you in every one of these places, whatever you are going through. The Lord has His angels around you, leading you ahead and guarding you behind. When you can’t see what is happening don’t worry. He wants you to keep walking one step at a time with Him. Our God has such mighty power and is the most amazing deliverer. Trust your journey into His wonderful hands today. Your ‘turn around’ moment will come. His promises to you will be fulfilled.

Prayer: Dear Lord, We praise You for the amazing account of Your deliverance of Israel from Egypt that we can read in the Bible. Thank You that You are with each of us in our journeys with You. We pray for breakthroughs, for faith to trust You on the journey, for deliverance and for promises to be fulfilled. We commit ourselves to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.