Speaking to the sun, calming the storm and walking on water. We’ve grown so far removed from nature and the works of Jesus that these miracles seem far fetched to our Western ears. But I want to continue to immerse ourselves in these stories with the hope that our faith will increase to believe for more of the miraculous. I’ve written out fragments of the biblical stories below and in previous articles. Try not to skip over reading these stories. Rather, I want to encourage you to meditate on them.
Moses Raised his Hand over the Sea
‘Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!‘
‘When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the LORD said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers”‘
‘Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers – the entire army of Pharoah. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived. But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides.’
‘When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses.’ -Exodus 14:21, 26, 28-29. 31
God told Moses to tell Pharoah to ‘Let my people go to worship me in the desert.’ But now, on their way to the desert, stretched out in front of them was the Red Sea with Pharoahs’ army chasing them from behind.
Moses simply raised his hand over the sea and the LORD opened up a path through the water.
Does it sometimes feel like there is no way forward? Perhaps you’ve hit an obstacle in the road and can’t see a way ahead!
You may need to raise your hand in prayer!
Major obstacles form the path to major miracles!
What major obstacle currently stands in your way, blocking your path?
Just as God used Moses to part the sea, He can perform a miracle to remove the obstacle blocking your way forward!
Joshua & The Jordan
A generation later, and the people of Israel were now instructed to cross-over into the Promised Land. But this time, a river overflowing its banks stood in their way!
‘It was harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.
Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground’ -Joshua 3:15-17
The river may be overflowing its banks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not the time to step out. If you are a disciple, you are also a priest. As the feet of the priests who were carrying the presence of God touched the water at the river’s edge, the water parted backing up all the way to Adam. Whilst the water below flowed to the Dead Sea.
Between the curse of Adam and Death, Christ has made a way through for you. If he could rescue you from the flow from sin to death, he can also bring you through whatever obstacle you are currently facing.
Simply bring your problem to God in prayer and wait for Him to answer.
Elijah & his Cloak
The group of prophets had told Elisha that ‘The LORD is going to take your master away from you today.’
Elijah was about to experience his own ‘crossing over’
‘Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground!’ -2 Kings 2:7-8
We’ve seen how God used Moses’ raised hand to part the sea, the feet of the priests to part the river Jordan and now the cloak of Elijah to part that same river so they could walk across on dry ground.
As a priest of the LORD are you putting your hands to work, are your feet walking worthily of the calling and have you been mantled with the cloak of humility?
‘Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, and who have not lifted up their soul to an idol or sworn deceitfully’ -Psalm 24:3
‘As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven’ -2 Kings 2:11
Quite a dramatic exit!
Elisha & The Spirit of Elijah
The mantle fell to Elisha…
‘Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.
When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, “Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha!” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him’ -2 Kings 2:13-15
The same spirit that rested upon Elijah that transferred to Elisha, now fills those who believe!
I pray that the obstacle blocking your path will be removed now in the Name of Jesus and that you are able to walk through the flood waters surrounding you
Where Are You on the Journey?
Notice that each generation had to pass through the waters…
Have you come through the waters of baptism?
Have you received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit?
Empowered by the Spirit, are you living out your calling as a Witness for Jesus?
Do signs and wonders follow you as you make Jesus known to others?
If you have missed any of the above stages on the journey, it’s worth retracing your steps and completing what has been left unfinished!
Let God part the waters for you, so you are able to walk through on dry ground, and then let God use you to rescue others!
