Trust

What does it mean to have complete faith and trust in God? For some people, faith and confidence seem to come effortlessly. I am not one of those people. I realize I should be, and I am a work in progress toward this goal. God has shown himself trustworthy to me many times throughout my life. He has always provided for me and many times abundantly. I ask myself, why do I doubt God? One day I was reading the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, and I realized I was in a great company of doubters. The Israelites let fear, anxiety, and despair overwhelm them when they came to the shores of the Red Sea. Even after partaking in their miraculous exodus and receiving provisions along their journey, they still gave into their doubt. I probably would have done the same thing. Here they were, for all intents and purposes, trapped. Egyptians were pursuing them and a sea is in front of them. I am sure they were perplexed about why God brought them to this point. I have learned a few lessons in my life, and it always comes to me realizing that God is the God of the unexpected and the God of the impossible. If God brings me to the shores of a Red Sea in my life, he has a way for me to get to the other side.

Complete and utter trust in the Almighty God; this is what I need. He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. Think about that. High walls of water were on either side of the people as they walked on dry ground. Not muddy – not a little dry but completely dry. Their feet were not slowed down by having to walk through the mire, weighing them down. I imagine some hurried, afraid that the water would not hold. Gripping their children and saying “hurry” “hurry. “All the while, vast walls of water were being held back for their safe passage. Trust had to reign even in their anxiety and fear.

I can look back on my life and see instances where God had provided for me when I had no idea how life situations would work out. One occurrence I remember is after I graduated from college. I had a couple of different jobs after graduation. I finally got a job that I liked and had the opportunity to learn about financial planning. One day on my way to work, I felt God telling me to apply to the seminary in the city where I was living. I did not want to do this. I knew the seminary could not pay much, and I was on my own to provide for my welfare. I obediently applied and got a job. I left the position that had the potential to compensate me well for a job that was going to be living paycheck to paycheck, or so I thought. God richly provided for me during my five years at the seminary. He provided housing and good deals on almost everything I had to buy. Along with physical needs, God also provided wonderful friends that saw potential in me and mentored me so that I could see myself as a unique and gifted child of God. As I read the story of the Israelites, I realized God was leading me. After I started working at the seminary, He became like the pillar of cloud that went behind me to protect me and provide light for my path.

Moses saw the same sea that the crowds of people saw. However, he looked at the situation with a positive attitude. He remembered God delivered the Israelites in the past. Also, he did not give in to whining, fear, and despair in the face of danger and being “trapped .”I, like the Israelites, can be spared many difficult times if I learn to trust God instead of whining and complaining. Although I can’t see giant walls of water held back that could crush and destroy me, there are many other ways God protects me and spares me as I journey through my days and weeks. I am afraid of walking where I don’t know what may be on the other side. I am worried that my children will be crushed and destroyed by an enemy that wants their and my destruction. He hates us because we love God. What dry ground is God asking me to walk through while trusting the water will not swallow me up? Help me, God, to take steps of faith. Give me eyes to see the opportunities and plans you lay before me. God has great plans for all his children (Jeremiah 29:11).

Moses also said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring to you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14) What a sentence of encouragement the Lord will fight for me. The Bible contains examples of verses that promise God is with us. To be encouraged, look at Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Psalm 18:30; Matthew 28:20, Luke 1:37; and Hebrews 13:6. I need to learn to be still and wait upon the Lord. Sure, I have to do my part. Moses first had to “raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry land” (Ex. 14:16). There is always a time to wait and pray for direction. But there also comes a time to take action. God may perform a miracle through flawed humans, but the glory should always rest on the Almighty God. He makes the way; I must do my part and walk on the path he reveals to me.

Miracles and times of deliverance may not just be for me but for others to see an amazing, all-powerful God in all His glory. The Egyptians pursued and followed the Israelites into the sea. God caused them to become confused and the wheels of their chariots to come off. They were smart enough to realize that The Lord was fighting for the Israelites and against Egypt (Exodus 14:25). They tried to get away, but it was too late. Moses again stretched out his hand, and the waters were released, and the Egyptians drowned. This miracle not only delivered the Israelites but also showed God’s power, authority and glory to the nation around them. This deliverance was not the last time God would demonstrate his power over Israel’s enemies. God continues to show his power over my enemy. God defeated my enemy at the cross of Christ, winning every battle, and I can fully trust my God.

The story of the parting of the Red Sea is just one of many that recount God’s faithfulness, power, protection, and deliverance of his people. As these Israelites no doubt told of this miracle, we too can tell of miracles performed on our behalf. Sharing our miracle stories may be just what someone else needs to encourage them to not give up on a God that never gives up on us. I want to be inspired by each miracle in my life.

Currently, I am experiencing a Red Sea moment.  I am not being pursued but I am at a point where I am not sure what is ahead of me or how I am going to get to the other side of my present situation. I want to have a positive attitude and expectantly wait for the faithfulness of God to be revealed to me. I must remember that God is the God of the perfect minute and the impossible.