The Upper Room devotional reflection for Friday, February 17, 2023, was written by Enid Adah Nyinomujuni of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. 29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
Exodus 14:19-31 NIV
A WAY THROUGH
As the Israelites made their way to the Promised Land, they faced an obstacle at the Red Sea. But because of God’s love and mercy for the Israelites, God parted the waters and made a way for them. The Israelites then courageously continued their journey. I remember when I had a “Red Sea” before me. God had led me to my work, which I was doing in a rented space. I worked there for many years, but then I faced financial challenges and struggled to pay rent.
I thought of giving up, but God made a way for me. Unexpectedly, I met a woman who had an interest in the kind of work I was doing, and she offered me premises free of charge to continue the work. God parted the sea before me, and I am continuing with the work I am called to do. As we seek to follow our callings, we all face obstacles – financial struggles, martial issues, illness, job stresses, and more. When we encounter an obstacle, we can call on our merciful God who can make a way for us and help us to the other side.
Friends,
When was the last time you faced a challenge that left you perplexed and frustrated, as you attempted to figure out what to do? We as face challenges, some we are able to quickly overcome, while others are so enormous that we wonder how we will make it. Enid’s reflection reminds us that when we live in reverent devotion to God, God provides a way to overcome all our obstacles. I invite you to reread Enid’s reflection, a be encouraged that God can make a way through, around, under, and over any obstacle you face.
-Pastor Anthony
Prayer:
Dear Lord, when we cannot see a way past our difficulties, help us to trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Enid Adah Nyinomujuni