“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14
During World War II, the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940 became known as the “Miracle of Dunkirk.” Trapped by advancing forces, over 330,000 Allied troops were rescued from the beaches. Favorable weather, fog, and the courage of civilian sailors contributed to this extraordinary event, often attributed to divine intervention.
Regardless of what you think about Dunkirk, the Israelites faced an impossible situation: the Red Sea before them and Pharaoh’s army behind them. They had been oppressed by Egypt for 400 years, and now their first real chance for freedom evaporated before them on the salty shores of the Red Sea. They were now trapped, faced with a cruel choice: death by sword or death by sea. Yet, God turns their two enemies on one another, crushing the sword with the sea, parting the waters, and leading Israel cross on dry ground. This moment became Israel’s defining story–when God baptized them down through death and up into new life. There are many ways to be trapped, but only One who never is. And He makes a way where none existed before, even through the heart of your raging sea.
Reflection:
- Where in your life do you feel trapped, and how can you surrender it to God?
- How does this story encourage you to trust God’s ability to make a way?
- What “Red Sea” moment can you recall to remember His faithfulness?
- Art: Passage of the Jews through the Red Sea, by Ivan Aivazovsky (1891), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Songs: “Make A Way” and “More Than Able” by Maverick City Music