Aug 13, 2017
After being allowed to leave Egypt following the death of the firstborn judgment, the nation was trapped by Pharaoh’s pursuing army at the Red Sea. At the brink of giving up in fear and returning, God provided a way through the Sea. God often allows difficulty to see if believers will go back to slavery or go forward to salvation. As water piled up creating huge walls, Israel crossed over on dry ground and when the cloud lifted, the Egyptians pursued them. After Israel finished crossing and the army was still on the ocean floor, God closed the ocean killing the army (Ex. 14:28, 29). Faith requires testing. Faith without testing is wishful thinking. Arriving at Canaan, the Israelites encountered a heavily fortified Jericho. Sending in spies, they were protected by a prostitute named Rahab who lived on the wall and they escaped through her house window. Rahab was afraid, but had faith Israel would take Jericho. So, she was spared when Jericho fell and eventually married an Israelite becoming the only foreigner listed for her faith, joining the lineage of Jesus (Matt. 1:5)! If fear is the subject, faith in God must be the object (Ps. 56:3)!