By: Pastor Jarren Rogers

“We are not to be surprised if living as Christians brings us to the place where we are at the end of our own resources, and that we are called to rely on the God who raises the dead” – N.T. Wright

Picture one of the most popular stories in the Bible.

The Israelite army find themselves pinned on both sides. On one side is the raging sea. A rolling, frothing, cacophony of water. On the other side, the Egyptian army is thundering towards them. Soldiers are yelling, thrusting their spears in the air. Their horses are chomping at the bit, pulling large chariots, stampeding towards God’s people.

And the Israelites are shaking in their boots. They are calling out to God:

Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? (Exodus 14:11).

Moses attempts to bring them hope saying:

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exodus 14:13-14).

What brought them to this place of desperation? How did they get into this mess?

The Bible tells us that when Moses delivered the people from Egypt, the Lord guided them, assuming the form of a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire by night.

You see, God led them there. He led them to a place in which they found themselves helpless, a place where they were powerless to do anything but watch their own demise.

But that’s where God performed a miracle.

He split the sea and delivered His people from the Egyptians when they needed it most.

It is usually when we come to a place where we are ready to give up that God shows up and provides a way out.

If we call on him, He will deliver us.

In the words of Moses:

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

 Parents: Ask your child about a time when they felt the most helpless. When did they feel like they were all alone? Let them know that they should call out to God in those times and he will help and deliver them.