Exodus 14

When God was leading the Israelites out of Egypt, they were all forced to believe God one step at a time. This one step led them to miracles like God parting the Red Sea so they can safely pass through and lose the Egyptians for good.

Hunter: https://www.instagram.com/hunter.carr23

Transcript

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Hey everyone, welcome back to the Christians on College Campuses podcast. My name is Hunter Carr, and I am a graduate of Cameron University. It's so good to be back and open God's Word together. Whether you're in college, recently graduated, or simply trying to grow in your relationship with Christ, I'm glad you're here. Today we are diving into Exodus chapter 14, one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible. Most people know this chapter because uh God parts the Red Sea. But when I read it, I see something more meaningful. I see a God who is faithful even when his people are afraid. And I think that's something every college student and young adult can relate to. The Israelites, they just been set free from slavery in Egypt. They have seen God send the ten plagues, protect them through the Passover, and lead them out of Egypt. They have seen God's power with their own eyes. But now they're standing in front of this big Red Sea with Pharaoh's army closing in behind them. From their perspective, they feel trapped. They are trapped. In verse 10 it says, As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians coming after them. The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. Honestly, I think most of us would have reacted the same way. When we're surrounded by problems, it's easy to let fear take over. Maybe your Red Sea is figuring out your future after graduation. Maybe it's anxiety, financial relationship. Or maybe you're just simply asking God what's next? The Israelites forgot what God had already done because they were so focused on what was standing in front of them. And to be honest, we do that too. We pray, God answers, and then another challenge comes along. Suddenly we begin to question whether he's still working in our lives. Fear has that way of making us forget God's faithfulness. But Moses says something that has encouraged believers for generations. He said in thirteen fourteen it says, Don't be afraid, stand firm and see the Lord's salvation that he will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you and you must be quiet. And I love those words. The Lord will fight for you. There are some battles only God can fight. We can't control every outcome, we can't force every opportunity, we can't fix every situation. Sometimes the greatest act of faith is choosing to trust God when He's already working, even when we can't see it. But here's something that really stood out to me while studying this chapter in verse 15 it says The Lord said to Moses, Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to break camp. I love that connection. Moses tells the people, The Lord will fight for you. Then God tells them Break camp. It seems contradicting to each other, but they don't. God wasn't telling his people to sit still forever. He was telling them to stop panicking, trust him, and then move forward in obedience. I think that's where many of us get stuck. We're waiting for God to show us the whole plan before we're willing to take one step. But that's not how faith usually works. God often gives us enough direction for the next step, not for the next ten. Maybe your next step is applying for that job. Maybe it's joining a small group. Maybe it's inviting someone to church. Or even maybe it's finally surrendering something you've been holding on to for so long. In James 2.17 is a great example. It says, in the same way, faith, if it does not have works, it's dead by itself. The Israelites had faith, but they still had to step onto the dry ground. Then God performed the miracle, the Red Sea, which looked like a most impossible obstacle, but actually became the path that God used to bring his people to freedom. And this reminds me of a verse in Isaiah forty-three where it says When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. Notice he doesn't say if you pass through the waters, he says when. So maybe today you're standing in front of your own Red Sea. Whatever it is, remember this. The obstacle in front of you is never bigger than the God who walks beside you. The same God who made a way for the Israelites is still making a way for you today. He is faithful, he is present, and he is worthy of your trust. So I'm gonna leave you with one question. What step of faith is God asking you to take today? Don't let fear keep you standing on the shore. Trust God, break camp and take that next step. Let's pray. Father, thank you for reminding us that you are a God who makes a way when there seems to be no way. Thank you for fighting the battles we cannot fight on our own. I pray for every college student and young adult listening today. I pray that you just give them courage when they're afraid, peace when they're anxious, and faith to take that next step you're calling them to take. Help us to trust you even when you we can't see the whole picture, knowing that your ways are always faithful. We love you, and we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.