One of the best places for a Christian to find himself, is up against it. To find and feel the edge of destruction, is good for the soul. No, it's not easy, and its not what most have to say that are hocking their books; but it is very true. Standing at the edge of the sea with the most powerful army in the known world bearing down on you, face to face with destruction; that is what it takes to make a believer. A place where all hope seems lost; what can you do?
Have you ever contemplated what kind of wind it takes to part a sea? It would take something akin to a tornado, but like no tornado we've ever seen. What kind of wind parts the waters in both directions? It took sustained winds (all night and into the next day) that were powerful enough to displace a sea and then dry the sea bed. Yet, there had to be a corridor that allowed 600,000 men (on foot), plus women, plus children and livestock, to pass through unharmed. But, loved ones, up to that point, they were face to face with their own destruction.
This wasn't a difficult situation, it was an impossible situation. Ask any military man; slaves up against an army of foot soldiers, archers, horsemen and chariots? Answer: slaves lose everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. They weren't up against a battle with an undecided outcome, the were up against being slaughtered. But, dear ones, a careful reading of Scripture will tell you that God led them there, to a place where there was no escape. Why? So, that not only Israel, but the whole world would know that He alone is God.
Loved ones, as I am writing this, I am fighting desperately, the urge to Americanize this with a "and they lived happily every after." In this day and time, we have Christians the world over, "of whom the world is not worthy." Because they have followed a ten step plan? No, because they give their lives for the cause of Christ! Day in day out, beaten, robbed and tortured; and with that they maintain the testimony of Christ: they trade all for Him. Let me just ask you, have you ever wondered whose human rights are being violated and how?
Chuck Swindoll asked a question in one of his sermons that has haunted me ever since, he said, "When's the last time that you took it on the chin, for the glory of God?" I can feel this turning into a series, but I must continue. Dear soul, it is for the glory of God that you are created. In that very purpose, you may be delivered in your trial or through it. I find my self going here so often, but one of the best examples of this is Corrie and Betsy ten Boom. Betsy was delivered in her trial, and Corrie was delivered through her trial.
Betsy was delivered through God's mercy, in calling her to Himself, but not before she put the idea in Corrie's heart to go every where and tell everyone that there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still. You see, loved ones, you must have a theology that says God is glorified in calling to Himself one of His own children. In the same way that He is glorified through her sister telling the world that the very same God is in the deepest darkest pit that man can create. You see, dear ones, one sister died there in that pit, but her story was told to millions by an eye witness to God's glory. Think about it: how many people will Betsy meet in glory, who are there because their heart was touched, and they came to Christ because of her story? Loved ones, what I'm asking is are you willing to go to the sea, if God doesn't part it?
