“THROUGH THE DEPTHS,
AS THROUGH THE WILDERNESS”
By: James W. Bryant
Currently assistant pastor of the Dillon C. H. Church in Dillon, SC
You can contact James W. Bryant @
Pphone: 843-774-7961
Email: REVJWBDCHC@AOL.COM
Psalms 106: 9
(9) He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
The children of Israel had previously been in bondage for 430 years. Now God delivers them out of Egypt. He leads them towards the Promise Land all through the Wilderness. But just as they come out of the Wilderness, they find an even greater obstacle yet ahead. “The Red Sea.” With all they had previously faced, they had a hope that perhaps the worse was over. Yet, here they are now, facing the greatest test yet. “The Red Sea.”
Many Christians go through this same pattern. They are Freed from the bondage of Egypt; (Salvation). They are led to and through the Wilderness and are delivered; (Trials/Temptations). And just when things appear to take a turn for the better, they come up on the “Red Sea.” Now some of us, have been there. Some of us, are there. And some of us, are headed there.
The children of Israel had their difficulties. Once freed from Pharaoh, they found the wilderness to be a tough road. It wasn’t an easy walk once loosed from their slavery. In fact, in some ways, they had it worse. (Now the enemy was pursuing them.) The Christian today has his/her difficulties. Being freed from sin does not ensure a life filled with no pains. Heartaches come; Troubles come; Tough Times come. But now, God had a plan in all that the Children of Israel faced. And in all of our difficulties, there’s a plan for us as well…
Now then, The children of Israel had been all through the Wilderness. They were delivered time and time again. But now here they are facing their toughest challenge. And from this challenge, I find 3-difficulties.
# 1 THERE WAS A RED SEA IN FRONT OF THEM
Now don’t miss this… It was not an enemy that put the sea there, but it was God…. All too often, the Devil is given credit for what God is working out for us in our lives. And God has his reasons for allowing many things to come into our lives. The Red Sea represents a test of faith for every Christian. And no one is exempt. Each of us at one time or another, need to expect a Red Sea to come unto our lives. Let me say; If you have not faced a Red Sea yet, well then you will! It’s coming! Get ready for it! Sometimes it may occur in Business, but could as easily come from somewhere else. We may have gone through some Wilderness experiences, but nothing compares to those times facing the Red Sea. Listen; Your Wife leaves you - Your child becomes sick - Your Job/Career ends - Your Loan falls through - Your Husband becomes Unfaithful - Your Bank account depletes - Your Doctor tells you that you have a Cancer - Your Home is destroyed by Fire - Your Dad is killed in War - Your Stocks for Retirement all plummet down to nothing - Your Mother develops Alzheimer’s - Your Spouse tells you they don’t love you anymore! I’m simply saying: All of us go through Wilderness experiences only to come Face to Face with a Red Sea! If you haven’t faced a Red Sea yet, get ready, because it’s coming…. The Children of Israel faced such a time. Here they were facing the enormity of the Red Sea.
Now there was ONE REASON.., And ONLY one reason why the Children of Israel were so concerned of the Red Sea. It was because;
#2 THE EGYPTIANS WERE BEHIND THEM
I see the Egyptians here as “Past Sins.” The Children of Israel had no sooner thought that their troubles were over when the Egyptians were seen, coming up behind them. Listen; Just because one comes to repentance, that doesn’t mean that the Old-Man-Is-Dead. The Devil is going to be after you! He’s still out there! He’s still trying to get you to do those things that you know that you are not to do!
Folks we are to keep moving forward! We do not have to sin! There’s always another way! Philippians 4:13 says; “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” So quit looking behind you and doubting yourself and realize that you can make it! Keep moving forward and stop looking back!
The third difficulty was perhaps the worse.
#3 THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAD FAINT HEARTS
As soon as they saw the Egyptians coming they began to cry out and murmered against their deliverer. The faint heart, is the-worse-enemy-a-Christian-can have. It will cause unnecessary hardships to one’s life. (loss of sleep, high blood pressure, headaches, ulcers, etc.) I hope that you understand as you read this message today, that when we stand firm in our Faith, we can Boldly stand before any Red Sea! We need not allow our hearts to become faint! Nothing can turn us back if were looking up! Hasn’t God delivered you before? Well, he will do it again! And if God brought us through the Wilderness, surely he will bring us through the Depths! It’s when our Faith is weak that we are then bullied by the Slightest Circumstances. But just remember, the same God that brought us through the Wilderness, will bring us through the depths… “THROUGH THE DEPTHS, AS THROUGH THE WILDERNESS”
Now I stated to you the Children of Israel had 3-DIFFICULTIES. But hey, they also had something else.., “3-HELPS….” Let me add this here… When you have 3-Difficulties you will ALWAYS have 3-Helps…
# 1 “PROVIDENCE”
“Providence,” was what put the Red Sea there. And it was to be “Providence” that would deliver them. Do you think that God’s cloudy pillar would ever lead you to a place where his right arm can’t reach you? “No!” God is not going to put us into any position that he can’t deliver us from! “Oh but brother James, you haven’t seen the size of my Red Sea.” And I don’t have to! If God allowed the waters to come your way he can remove those waters as well! Friend, however great my troubles, my father is far greater! However great my problems may seem, my father is far greater! However great my trials become, my father is greater! However great my circumstances, they are all working for my good! Whatever “Providence” is set before me, it is there to make me stronger! And if we will allow it, that Red Sea can become our Friend!
You know the story; Once the Children of Israel had crossed to the other side, the waves overtook the enemy that was pursuing them! Now then; Whatever Sea that is before you, realize that it is a Providence from God! And K-N-O-W, that God is working it for your good! (Let it be your friend)
Another help that the children of Israel had was;
#2 THEY KNEW THAY WERE THE COVENANT PEOPLE OF GOD
God had brought them there and he was bound to bring them out. He had already made a promise that his people would prosper… If God has brought you to the Red Sea he has to bring you out. He’s not going to put more on you than you can bare.
Now the third help that the children of Israel had was most significant.
#3 THEIR HELP WAS IN A MAN
“Moses..” Moses did everything for them! (stood in our their behalf before God) And our greatest help is in a man.., but not Moses.., but in Jesus! He is interceding for us! Not with a Rod but rather with a Cross! (“They are my children” he is saying..) There’s nothing that we could do, that in ourselves. But rather; It’s JESUS, who’s our help! It’s JESUS, who paid the price for all of mankind! It’s JESUS, who stands in on our behalf! It’s JESUS, who hung on that ‘ol cross to pay for our sins! It’s JESUS, who is praying for us even now! It’s JESUS, who loved us more than himself! And it’s through JESUS, that we can conquer any ol’ Red Sea!
Thank God for that help we have today in Jesus! With his cross, he makes us a path through the Red Sea. Just as Moses stood before God on behalf of his people.., Christ too, will not leave us, nor forsake us!
The thing I want most to amplify through this letter to you is this. God had a DESIGN in bringing these people to the Red Sea. And he has a Design in bringing you before Trials in your life as well… Whatever difficulty you encounter, you can make it! The same God that delivered us out of the Wilderness, will deliver us from the Red Sea! My message to you today is simply this; “THROUGH THE DEPTHS, AS THROUGH THE WILDERNESS.” God will see you through…
James W. Bryant
