Red Sea Road

Exodus 14:13-14 (NKJV)

13And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

A group of thousands of tired, fearful people huddle around an elderly man. Perhaps some of the women are weeping softly. Not far behind the people, one sees the dust of hundreds of speedily moving enemy chariots. Close in front of the people lies a huge body of water. Suddenly, the elderly man–the leader of this group–lifts his hand, holding his staff. “The Lord will fight for you!” His triumphant words ring across the water. Instantly, accompanied by the sound of rushing wind, the water rises up and parts. The people cry out in thankfulness and hurry toward the water–a dry path has been made between the walls of water.

The image of the Red Sea parting for the Israelites is so astounding and meaningful to me. A while back, I wrote a poem about that amazing event.

Part the Sea

Standing at the edge

Of the Red Sea.

Foaming, placid waters

Lapping at my feet.

How to cross this mighty sea

Stretching beyond my sight?

How to pass through it?

My heart is filled with fright.

Then, turning around, what horror!

With my own eyes I see

The massive thousands of thousands

Of Egypt’s great army.

Trapped behind, trapped ahead,

With no place to go,

I lift my eyes heavenward,

To the One Whose power I know.

“Lord, there’s nothing I can do,

Nothing in my might.

Please work a miracle;

Help me walk by faith, not sight.”

Powerful, yet gentle,

His answer returns:

“Don’t be afraid, child,

You will not be hurt.

Stand still and watch

My salvation–here–today!

I will fight for you;

I will make a way!

The only thing for you to do

Is to stand still and trust.

Wait quietly in My presence;

Your enemies will be crushed.”

I obey in awestruck silence

Waiting on the Lord.

The Egyptians push ever closer;

But I hope in His Word.

At the moment when I thought

It was much too late,

When I thought my heart

Could no longer wait,

The sea split in two,

Rising on each side.

The path in between

Was smooth and dry.

Words cannot describe

The parting of the sea;

Its majestic splendor

Was God’s path for me.

Rushing, gushing, foaming,

The depths broke in two.

Walls of raging water

Split the fathomless blue.

Monstrous floods of liquid

Held back by God’s hand,

Torrents of bottomless water,

Restrained by His command.

I step onto the path,

Firm and dry and sure,

Glancing timidly at the Sea

Parted by the Lord.

Raging water on right and left,

As if in the eye of the storm,

I’m on the miracle path given

By the Almighty Lord.

He did this wonder for me–

A simple, wretched fool!

He defied gravity

For me, His simple tool.

I doubted His power, discouraged

And even lost heart in prayer.

But now–looking at the water–

Is this how much He cares?

Tears fill my eyes as I walk

Carefully through the sea.

This marvelous wonder was worked

For doubtful, sinful me.

I cross to the other side

And watch the miracle reverse.

The sea rages back into place,

Drowning the Egyptians first.

I sing to my Lord!

He has done marvelous things!

He is Almighty and powerful–

The King above all kings!

The Creator is forever mighty–

Gravity can’t get in His way!

No matter how deep our seas,

His might will make a way.

No matter how wide the ocean,

His love is wider still.

No matter how tall the mountains,

He created those hills!

Our God is greater–He still parts seas!

Precious Lord, we pray,

Please part the sea for us.

Please fight for us today!

Isaiah 50:2 (NKJV)
2Why, when I came, was there no man?
Why, when I called, was there none to answer?
Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?
Or have I no power to deliver?
Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea,
I make the rivers a wilderness;
Their fish stink because there is no water,
And die of thirst.