Introduction:
Beloved, today we gather together in faith to remind ourselves of the powerful truth: Our God is a way-maker.
Life often presents us with moments of hardship, when obstacles seem insurmountable, and we feel like there’s no path forward.
We may have our own versions of the Red Sea in front of us, with Pharaoh’s army of troubles closing in behind. But the story of Exodus 14—the miraculous parting of the Red Sea—teaches us that God doesn’t always remove the obstacle. Instead, He makes a way through it, showing His power and love for us in the midst of life’s challenges.
Point 1: God Sees Our Struggles and Our Obstacle
Let’s imagine the scene at the Red Sea. The Israelites had just been set free from bondage, but soon they found themselves facing a sea on one side and Pharaoh’s army on the other.
It must have felt like their liberation was short-lived. Fear crept in, and they cried out in desperation.
Isn’t that often how we feel?
We make strides in life, grow closer to God, and then something—illness, financial difficulty, strained relationships—blocks our path forward. It feels as if God isn’t there or isn’t listening.
Yet, in verse 13, Moses assures the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”
God sees our struggles. He sees the obstacles we face. He is fully aware of the challenges before us.
And just as He heard the Israelites’ cries, He hears ours, too. We are not alone in our trials.
Point 2: God’s Solution Is Beyond Our Imagination
The Israelites probably thought they had two choices: surrender to the Egyptians or somehow turn back.
But God had a plan they hadn’t considered. He didn’t remove the sea, nor did He annihilate Pharaoh’s army from afar.
Instead, He provided a way no one had foreseen. He parted the sea, creating a path through what seemed impassable.
In our lives, when we are stuck between a “sea” and our fears, we tend to look for solutions that fit our human logic.
Yet, our God operates beyond human understanding.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:20 that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
When faced with obstacles, remember that God may not remove the problem but will provide a way through it, a way we may never have envisioned.
Remember, our God is not limited by our logic or bound by our understanding.
Point 3: Trust in God’s Timing and Take the First Step
When God provided a way through the Red Sea, He instructed Moses to lift his staff over the waters, and as Moses obeyed, the waters began to part.
It required an act of obedience, a demonstration of faith.
Sometimes, we’re called to take a step before the path becomes clear.
Trusting God means walking in faith, even when we don’t fully see the way forward. It’s about moving forward in obedience, with the assurance that God will guide our steps and reveal His purpose in due time.
The waters didn’t part until Moses raised his staff. The miracle occurred in response to obedience and trust.
In our lives, God may call us to take small steps of faith before He opens the path before us. We must be willing to act in faith, trusting that God will make a way where there seems to be none.
Point 4: God’s Way Leads Us to Greater Freedom and Purpose
When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they didn’t just escape their enemies; they entered a new chapter of their journey with God.
God’s purpose in making a way through the sea wasn’t only to free them from Pharaoh but also to lead them closer to Him and into a land where they could grow into the people He had called them to be.
Likewise, when God makes a way through our obstacles, He’s not simply helping us escape difficulty; He’s bringing us into a fuller understanding of His love, grace, and power.
These experiences become the foundation for a deeper faith, a stronger testimony, and a clearer sense of purpose.
Conclusion:
Beloved, whatever “Red Sea” you are facing today, know that God has not abandoned you. You may feel the weight of that obstacle, but God is not just beside you—He’s already preparing a way through it. Our task is to trust, to stand firm, to take steps of faith, and to witness God’s mighty hand making a way where there was none.
Just as He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, God will part the waters in your life. He will make a way through illness, through financial burdens, through strained relationships, through doubt and despair. And as you pass through, you’ll find yourself on the other side, with a new song of praise on your lips, a greater faith in your heart, and a stronger testimony to share with the world.
(Ask the congregation to sing with you the song, God Will Make a Way)
May we each carry this assurance, that God will make a way. He will make a way through every obstacle, every trial, every fear, and every struggle—because He loves us and is faithful to His promises. Amen.
