Why this Sea, God?

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you” – Isaiah 43:2

Has it been a bad day?

Maybe you got into a fight with your spouse, you left the house in tears this morning, and you feel your foot stepping into a restless sea.

Has it been a bad month?

Maybe you just got that doctor’s bill in the mail, the numbers include three – or more – zeroes, and you feel like you’re drowning.

Has it been a bad year?

Maybe you lost a loved one, you got a bad diagnosis from the doctor, you’re feeling alone, and you feel like you’re engulfed by the waves.

I heard a poem today by a leader of a local church. I can’t remember the name or the content of most of the poem, but one section, in particular, stood out to me. The poem described an individual who was suffering and in the midst of it, he cried out, “Why this sea, God?” In response, God said it was because he wanted to drown what was trying to harm him and bring him out the other side. It was a direct reference to the story of Moses.

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation[b] of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” – Exodus 14:10-14

If you know the story of Moses, you know how this conflict is resolved. God told Moses to lift his staff and stretch his arm over the sea, and the sea would split. The Israelites were able to run through the sea, with walls of water on each side. The Egyptians’ hearts were hardened, and they tried to pursue the Israelites, only to have the Lord cover them with the sea, and every human and animal in the Pharoah’s army died.

If you feel your life is in the midst of a bitter struggle, don’t be discouraged. Maybe you’re going through a season of discipline but remember – the Lord disciplines those He loves. He wants to see you go through the sea and come out on the other side. Maybe you’re in a season where you feel like your name should be Job. The case still applies, the Lord wants to bring you through the sea, and come out the other side (in HIS strength.)

Maybe you feel like you’re drowning because you’re going through a season of disbelief… you’re not quite alone. Jesus’ disciples felt that way too sometimes, and they were with Jesus every day! May I encourage you to read Matthew 14:22-33?

Surf’s Up!

Written by Erin Culleny: Erin Culleny served for four years as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!

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Think About This: Reach up as far as you can, and God will reach down all the way

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.