2540) When I was a child, I loved to hear Bible stories. As I listened, the images in my head illustrated my version of events. One such event is the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14.

As the Israelites exited Egypt, I could see the mobs of people, the animals loaded down, and hope in the hearts of God’s people. There must have been much joy within.

What I found troubling in this story is when the Israelites were led directly to the shore of the Red Sea and then heard their enemies coming after them. If I had been a member of the crowd, I would, at the least, be concerned and I would be, at the most, angry.

Why would God take us out of Egypt and lead us to a dead end? Pharaoh will capture us and make life even more unbearable.  

There are some things in life that don’t make sense. Does God allow these things to test me? Does he take pleasure in making me panic? Is this situation a set-up so I will learn some spiritual lesson?

These situations don’t really form a pattern; it’s just an impossible situation for me and a door of opportunity for God.

As the Israelites watched God part the Red Sea, was there relief? Fear? Urgency? All of these are probabilities, and yet, if I look for it, I can see God helping them and me to learn to trust him over the big problems in life and the small ones too. The biggest growth in our Christian faith is seeing how God delivers us from the impossible.