I’m super excited about today’s post. Carrie Vipperman has guest posted for us before, but something about today’s post spoke specifically to you. Pretty sure it will grant you fresh insight as well.
Thanks, Carrie, for sharing from your heart. These aren’t just words, this are what E.M. Bounds calls “spiritual unction!”
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“I don’t remember the exact day I found this passage, but it was at some point in college. And, ever since then, I’ve been somewhat obsessed. Okay, really obsessed. I talk about it all the time. I’m 34 this year, and I’m still talking about this particular passage of Scripture.
“Your way was in the sea and your paths in the mighty waters, and your footprints may not be known. You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” (Psalm 77:19-20 NASB)
“This scripture became and will likely always be my anchor to hold onto when I am asked to have faith and do what I do not understand. Because God is greater than I am with ways far greater than my ways (Isaiah 55:8), His provision is often going to come in ways that I cannot understand or would never expect. No one would have expected a sea to open up! But, the more you dig into this amazing miracle, the more incredible it becomes as you begin to see the careful protection and provision for God’s people as He glorifies Himself through this miracle.
“In the beginning, we see the Lord leading the Israelites to what seems to be a dangerous location. He leads them to camp right in front of the sea. There is nowhere to go but through the sea or back the direction they came from—back toward Egypt and slavery. The people knew that they did not have boats and that swimming across the sea would be impossible, so when the Egyptians started to pursue them, the people feared for their lives. They doubted God’s protection and ability to deliver them from what seemed like certain death or a return to slavery. But, in their fear, God reassures them through Moses.
“Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14, NASB)
“Then, God begins to work. He provides protection from the Egyptians by moving the angel of God and the pillar of cloud that had been in front of them, showing them the way, to the back of the Israelite’s camp, blocking the Egyptians from overtaking them. Then, as He is protecting them from their enemies behind them, Moses lifts up his hand over the sea, and the “Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind ALL NIGHT and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.” (Exodus 14:21 NASB, emphasis mine)
“Each time I am asked to have faith in what God is asking me to do, the more the little details of this story encourage and strengthen me. Yes, the fact that God divided the sea and created a dry path is absolutely incredible! That provides hope that He can do what seems impossible.
“We all have those “seas” in our lives that we are asking God to divide. Maybe yours is a troubled marriage, rebellious children, financial crisis, enslavement to a particular sin, or any number of things. But, one of the many beautiful parts of this miracle is that God protected them as He took the time that was necessary to make the way out. He had the ability to just divide the sea in an instant, but He used a strong east wind to blow all night long and reveal His chosen path. All night long, the Israelites got to watch God’s protection behind them and His provision in front of them. They were asked to wait in the middle, keep silent, and watch their awesome God deliver them in a truly unimaginable way.
“As you ask God to divide the seas that are in your life, are you willing to look for how He is protecting you and providing the way? It might be a slow process, and might not be the way that you would assume or want Him to choose, but if you look for God in the waiting, you just might get to see Him do some awesome and unimaginable things.
Carrie (right) and her eldest daughter having fun with some selfies.
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