God's Solution for Impossible Situations

            Have you ever escaped a bad situation only to encounter an even worse one? Just when you’re giving a whoop of praise for answered prayer, you run smack into an impossible circumstance. You can’t see how God could possibly solve this predicament. I know I have. Recently.

            Then, I read about the Israelites facing an even worse scenario. After 430 years of slavery in Egypt, God sent Moses to get them out and lead them to a homeland of their own. It took ten plagues and numerous miracles to convince Pharaoh to let go of his free labor force. But when the estimated 3.5 million Israelites left, they took their families, animals, and the wealth of Egypt. They were a pretty merry bunch.          

That is, until they hit the Red Sea. It was deep, wide, and uncross-able. And when they turned to look behind them, they saw the Egyptian army chasing with chariots and horses. Pharaoh had changed his mind again.

            Did they laugh at the soldiers, knowing God had it all under control? No, they did what we do – they panicked, they blamed their leaders, and they complained. It literally looked like a dead end.

            Only Moses had sense enough to ask for God’s help. He reassured the people, “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).

Then God did an amazing thing: He opened the water and made a path to the other side. The Israelites walked across, but just as the Egyptian army raced in after them, God closed the way. No more army. Problem solved.

You and I also face troubles we cannot humanly solve. However, we serve a mighty God who not only knows what we need, but has the power to make it happen. If the Israelites had made a list of possible solutions it might have included:

·         Building boats

·         Erecting a bridge

·         Finding where the water narrowed

·         Swimming for it!

I seriously doubt anyone would have suggested walking across (on dry ground no less!). They would have gotten laughed out of the water (sorry, couldn’t resist that one). But God loves creative solutions.

            In recent weeks I’ve seen God work similar miracles in impossible situations. I had my own list of solutions, which I offered, in case God needed any ideas. But He didn’t do any of those things. His answers were miraculous and exactly what each person needed.

            Do you have “Egyptians” chasing you down, causing fear, panic, and distress? If you don’t currently, I guarantee it won’t be long before you do. That’s the way life seems to go. Thankfully, we have a God who knows what we need. He says, “Don’t be afraid, trust me. Hang in there and watch this. Those Egyptians look pretty scary, but I will protect you. Be still, my child.” And then He shows us the way out, and we cross – blinking in astonishment, grinning with amazement, and laughing at God’s astounding miracle.