Between A Rock and A Hard Place

Do you remember the ending of the 1956 classic movie starring Charlton Heston? Moses is running from Pharaoh who wants all the slaves back in Egypt. Moses raises his staff and the waters of the Red Sea part. Millions of Israelites cross the dry riverbed to safety. The end.

But have you ever wondered how or why the Israelites ended up running away from their enemy straight into one of the largest seas in the region—without a cruise ship waiting for them?

Here's what we read right before the epic scene:

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.” (Exodus 14:1-2)

God told His followers to set up camp between the desert and the sea. Have you ever been there? Between a rock and a hard place? Not sure why you are there? Not sure how you got there? Or what God wants to do with you while you are there?

The fleeing Israelites probably didn't know either. All they knew was that they were being chased by the largest army they knew and now they were trapped. That is probably why God told them...

“Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this.” (Exodus 14:3-4)

Did you see that? It is right there in verse 4. God put them—puts us—in difficult situations, situations that we cannot see a way out of, so that He can gain glory for Himself.

That's all He wants. The glory. Not too much to ask for The Creator of the world to ask is it? So next time you find yourself in a sticky situation think about how you can give the glory to Him through it. And who knows maybe you will be able to part the Red Sea. Or maybe not.

But I do know that you will come through the difficult situation better. Closer to God. Closer to the person He wants you to be.