Help Us Believe - Exodus 14:21-31

Grace and Joy to you family

Lets pray together

Well, let me start us off with a short story

Our church met under a simple acacia tree in the kraal, surrounded by the stench of cow dung, buzzing flies, and the constant threat of warrior raids; that got the village elders many times to perform sacrifices for protection due to escalating raids. They believed their ancestors and gods would protect them, sprinkling blood over the kraal and cattle, including our little tree church because it was in the kraal. This left our hearts unsettled.

One evening, despite fears and risks, we felt a burden to hold an all-night prayer vigil by the tree Church in the Kraal. After days of trembling consideration, we packed the projector, some food, and our fragile faith, into a friends four-wheeler we had borrowed. No wander we were always near that Land cruiser, anything could go south at any time. Anyways, on arrival to the village, they watched us warily. But we pressed on, showing the Jesus Film and later, transitioning into the vibrant, overnight worship, praises and prayer. Kids dancing, men humming and the women jumping.

The kraal had turned to a worship sanctuary.

However, by dawn, we learned that danger had lurked in the wee-night as warriors had planned to raid the village, but were deterred by the sound of singing, perceiving it, that the villagers were ready for them, to bring on the fight. God had miraculously protected us.

That vigil was a turning point. In the midst of fear, flies, and cow dung, God reminded us that He works powerfully, and miraculously, even in the smallest and most unlikely places. Our belief was reignited by how God protected us. The villagers’ faith and belief grew knowing the testimony of how God had protected them, even when they couldn’t comprehend how.

Message Title

The title of my message through the crossing of the Red sea passage is embodied in three words – “Help Us believe.”

Introduction

We live in a generation, where miracles perhaps have been undermined by mysticism, fairy tales, or as ear tickling poetic narratives. Or even worse skeptic analogy to entice our limited intellectual comprehension of God’s supernatural. Whereas Modern scholarship examines miracles through critical, historical, social and scientific approaches. Even with valuable insights, these explorations should not demean our humble response in faith to believe His power. His inerrant, infallible, reliable and trustworthy word is able to shape us in all matters that pertain to faith, and should shape our intellectual comprehension by His Holy Spirit to help us see miracles as those that call us to respond to Him in a way that nurtures our relationship with him.

Passage Background

Exodus is rooted in God’s glory as a major theme. In today’s portion, we see Him display his glory through the parting of the red sea Miracle.

Centuries ago, during a famine in Canaan, the Israelites migrated to Egypt at Joseph’s invitation, however because of fear of their growing numbers, A Pharaoh that didn’t know Joseph enslaves them (Genesis 47). This was foretold in Genesis 15:13-14. However the covenant God would serve them from the harsh oppression.

God calls Moses through the burning bush to lead His people out of bondage and into the Promised Land (Exodus 3-4). He assures Moses of His covenant promises and that mighty wondrous acts would compel Pharaoh to release His people (Exodus 6:6-8).

Pharaoh’s resistance led to ten plagues, each showcasing God’s superiority over Egypt’s gods and goddesses (Exodus 7–12). The final plague, the death of the firstborn, broke Pharaoh’s hard heartedness, releasing the Israelites (Exodus 12:31-36).

God then, leads His people with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:20-22). However, Pharaoh pursues them again as he regrets letting them go. God’s intention is to reveal His glory through Pharoah hard heartedness. So, Pharaoh with his army, goes after the Israelites prompting them to panic and murmuringly accuse Moses of bringing them to die in the wilderness (Exodus 14:10-12) however Moses declares to them, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13-14). Well, God brings them at the right place to display his might.

God's centrality in this narrative emphasizes His gracious presence and sovereign control over every detail through this passage. While the miracle is significant, the ultimate outcome reveals a deeper purpose and weightier accomplishment.

In this passage, Moses, the Israelites, the Egyptians, and creation are all responding to God's actions. Creation simply obeys, while human responses reflect their understanding of God. Moses, shaped by his encounters with Yahweh. The Israelites, initially unsure, full of doubt witness God’s power, then respond with reverent belief and grow in awe and dependence as His sovereignty unfolds. The Egyptians, hardened and arrogant, defy God, failing to recognize His supremacy until it’s too late.

Through our passage this morning, I would like to share 3 reflections.

Creation responds

The Cost of how we respond

How we should respond - A call to believe

Remember, God is central in this passage. The miracle and every response arise from His gracious presence, revealing His glory while protecting His people, making the impossible possible and nurturing their faith and belief in Him as the sovereign God, who saves them.

Exodus 14:21–23- Unfolds Creations response and obedience to Yahweh through His Servant Moses. The portions starts us off with - Moses responds in obedience, to God’s command by stretching out his hand over the sea, setting the stage for one of Scripture’s most remarkable miracles.

Moses simple act of obedience, a’ symbol of divine authority”, sets into motion a display of God’s power. A strong east wind, parts the waters, creating a dry path with towering walls of water on either side. Initially grappling with fear and doubt, the Israelites step forward in trust, walking on dry ground. Meanwhile, Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen, symbols of human power and arrogance, charge into the same path, unaware of their impending doom. The tension mounts as these two; one moving toward salvation, the other towards judgment progress through the same extraordinary might of God.

This event reveals God’s supreme authority over creation. The wind and waters respond, showcasing His unmatched power and presence. Moses’ response demonstrates the profound partnership between divine delegation and human obedience becoming the catalyst for a momentous display of God’s intervention.

We can surely trust God, even amidst insurmountable challenges, He is in control. Everything obeys. Moses’ obedient response reminds us that small steps aligned with God’s will can lead to extraordinary outcomes. If creation itself obeys God’s, why can’t we believe. How much more should we trust and surrender to His divine authority? Perhaps we can learn from creation.

Reflection 2 - The cost of how we respond - Exodus 14:24-29 – We witness Gods sovereign judgement and as well gracious salvation. From the pillar of fire and cloud, He intervenes throwing Pharaoh’s army into confusion and clogging their chariot wheels, frustrating their pursuit. At daybreak, the waters return to their normal state. Creation continues to obey. Whereas it was normal for the sea. This deliberate supernatural act engulfs Pharaoh’s army, chariots, and horsemen, leaving no survivors.

God demonstrates His authority over even the mightiest earthly powers, just like over creation, using it to pass judgement. We witness the futility of human strength when opposed by God’s might. Simultaneously, the Israelites Walk safely on dry ground, experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promise and His grace, to save them. The same waters that bring salvation to Israel brings destruction to the Egyptians, emphasizing God’s dual role as both just judge and gracious redeemer, who commands creation and circumstances for His sovereign glory.

We see, God stand as the central figure in this scene. He fights for his people. In the chaos, the Egyptians acknowledge, “The Lord fights for the Israelites against them,” a confession or response that highlights God’s supremacy and their regret. This event would later cause nations to respond in awe of God through the lands.

This miraculous crossing serves a greater purpose; it is a theophany, a divine revelation designed to help Israel’s and generations to a response of awe and covenant faithfulness. A prophetic baptismal demonstration of what Christ would do in saving us all, from the dominions and powers of this world bringing all those that respond with faith in him to life eternal in himself. And those that deny his might and grace into awful judgement. In this portion, we witness both judgement and redemption here.

Children of God are invited to marvel at His might and experience the fullness of His glory as He draws us, His pinnacle of creation to Himself. He saves us. He victors over sin and redeems us from the perils of this world. While the Israelites experience salvation as God’s people, Pharaoh’s army moves toward judgment, highlighting the destructive end of prideful reliance on earthly power and deliberate defiance from Yahweh.

Reflection 3 – How should we respond, A call to Believe.  -     Exodus 14:30–31, the story reaches a triumphant conclusion as when The Lord, saves Israel, as they witness a vivid display of His Glorious salvation and as well his judgement. Standing on the shore of the Red Sea, they see the dead bodies of their oppressors washed ashore. What had been their greatest threat for centuries was decisively eliminated in one night. God protected the Israelites extending His grace to them and brought judgment to their enemies. While some were transformed by the miracle, others perished by it. While believers in Christ Jesus will experience His salvation, others who don’t acknowledge His grace and love will perish by it.

God’s redemptive grace leads to a transformation in Israel’s faith. The text notes that the Israelites “saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians,” and their response was fear and belief. This awe, this reverence of God’s might and saving power changed their convictions and actions, leading them to worship Him as the only One worthy of their trust, praise, honor, and worship. They also responded in trust for Gods leadership through Moses, a representation of his sovereign delegation.

We can trust that God’s power is sufficient for complete deliverance. His character should deepen our trust and inspire our worship, reminding us that His actions, whether in judgment or deliverance, reveal His glory and invite us to believe in Him fully transforming us.

Conclusion

Life’s storms can break us in ways we never expect or can imagine, uncertainty, strained relationships, or heartbreak. Financial struggles, sicknesses, betrayal, pain, anxiety, failing business, or job, the list goes on and on. Yet, God is not distant from our pain, or what we are going through, there is no circumstance that his grace can’t fathom. However, how will we respond to whatever we are going through. His salvation saves all who put their Hope in Him. He sees our tears, heals our hopelessness, mends our brokenness and works in every season, redeeming and restoring us.

You see, our greatest peril is not the pain, or challenges we go through today. Yes, we acknowledge them and continue to pray for Him to intervene yet, it’s important to remember that our greatest peril is SIN. Sin eternally separates us from God, and his gracious redemption.

Christ is the only way we can experience salvation. When He gave His life on that Cross for out. He gave it to bring us from death to life. The Red Sea crossing was a glimpse of the greater redemption found in Jesus, who reveals the fullness of God’s glory to all those who believe in Him.

John 1:12 reminds us that “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God”. This incredible privilege is not based on our works but on God’s grace through faith in Christ. “For in Christ Jesus, you are all sons and daughters of God, through faith” (Galatians 3:26). As His children, we are no longer slaves to sin but heirs of His promises, welcomed into His family with love and acceptance. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17). This is the assurance for all who believe: we are adopted into His family, forever secured as His beloved children.

Today, that Church in the Kraal continues to grow and reach-out to other villages because of the testimony and experience of their faith. That night shaped their faith in God.

You see, this life presents two outcomes: salvation through Christ when we believe or eternal judgment.

Well, will you believe today?

God bless.