WHEN YOU REACH THE CROSSROADS
(You are about to cross over)
Text: Exodus 14:5–7, 13–18
Israel reached such a moment. Behind them was Pharaoh and his army. In front of them was the Red Sea.
1. THE ENEMY MAY PURSUE YOU AFTER YOUR DELIVERANCE
“What is this we have done, letting Israel go?” — Exodus 14:5
Pharaoh regretted releasing Israel. He mobilized his army and pursued them.
Israel had left Egypt, but Pharaoh wanted them back.
2. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THE NUMBER OF YOUR ENEMIES
Pharaoh did not come alone. “He took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt.” — Exodus 14:7
Israel looked at an enormous army. But they needed to stop looking at the size of Pharaoh's army and start looking at the greatness of their God.
3. STAND FIRM WHEN YOU REACH THE CROSSROADS
Moses told the people: “Do not be afraid; stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord.”
The first instruction was: DO NOT BE AFRAID.
4. YOUR BATTLE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER GOD'S POWER
Moses said: “The Lord will fight for you.” — Exodus 14:14
Israel had never seen the Red Sea open before. They had never seen God fight Pharaoh in this way. The crisis introduced them to a dimension of God's power they had never experienced.
5. STOP CRYING AND START MOVING
Then God said something surprising to Moses: “Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” — Exodus 14:15
Moses was crying to God. God answered: “Move!”
6. FOLLOW THE WORD GOD HAS GIVEN YOU
God told Moses: “Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it.” — Exodus 14:16
The staff represented what God had already placed in Moses' hand.
Moses had to use what God had given him.
7. GOD CAN TURN YOUR ENEMY INTO A WITNESS OF HIS POWER
God said: “I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army.” — Exodus 14:17
This is powerful. God was not merely interested in delivering Israel.
He wanted to glorify His name.
8. DON'T PRAY ONLY FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF YOUR ENEMIES—PRAY FOR GOD'S GLORY
This is an important spiritual principle. When people hurt us, our first reaction can be:
“God, destroy them!” But we should desire something greater:
“Lord, defend me, lift me, and let Your glory be revealed.”
God said: “The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” — Exodus 14:18
9. THE CROSSROADS IS NOT THE END
Israel thought: “We are trapped.”
God was saying: “You are about to cross over.”
Dr Lawi Mshana, +255712924234, Tanzania
