Water Power
July 29th, 2010
From time memorial many people have doubted the existence of God. What often changes their mind is some astonishing event.
Like what occurred to the Jews, as they followed Moses out of Egypt. But things were not going so well with their exodus. And doing what many do best, they complained. Saying, “Is not this the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it is better for us to serve the Egyptians, than die in the wilderness,” Exodus 14:12, as the Egyptians pursued them. In verse 13, Moses said, “Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD which he will show you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see them again no more forever!” With Moses telling the Jews that the LORD would fight for them, verse 14.
Moses received his war instructions, and at the Red Sea, Moses stretched out his hand holding a rod over the sea, verses 15-16. With the LORD causing a strong east wind for the entire night. Forcing a division within the waters resulting in the creation of two walls of water which enabled the Jews to walk between them on dry ground, verses 21-22.
The mighty army of the Pharaoh with the their war making equipment went after these Jews. But the LORD from his command post behind a pillar of fire within a cloud, dismantled wheels from their chariots. And at the appropriate time, as directed by the LORD, Moses raised his hand and the walls of water crushed the drowning Egyptians. But not before the Jews reached safety, verses 23-29.
One might ask, why such dramatics? For at least two reasons, as aforementioned, to believe in God people need to see miracles, or signs, as evidence of his existence. SO NOTE: “And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians; and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and his servant Moses,” Exodus 14:31.
And equally to be NOTED: Such notices serve as wake up calls for the rest of society. Before the Red Sea catastrophe, the LORD said, “And the Egyptians shall that I am the LORD …,” Exodus 14:18.
Such occurrences of belief occurred through out the New Testament through Jesus and his disciples. With this short notation, “Then Phillip went … and preached unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Phillip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did,” Acts 8:5-6. The old adage, seeing is believing seems to hold true.
One should not doubt the hand of God in any earthly catastrophe. For example, an Israeli magazine, Israel Today, featured this gripping headline. “Site of Jesus’ baptism now a cesspool.” Why? Because of a severe water crisis that Israel is experiencing.
It is thought the Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Making it a popular tourist attraction for Christians. Drawing thousands of Christians to his baptismal cite. Wishing to be baptized in a river of such historical significance.
“But an ongoing drought has largely dried up the mighty Jordan River. With the only thing flowing into the lower Jordan River today is raw sewage from a nearby Palestinian town of Jericho,” Israel Today.
“Israeli officials are considering erecting signs that says, ‘Polluted Waters. Entry Forbidden,”‘ reported The Media Line.
Should we conclude that the ancient adage, seeing is believing works? Seems to have worked for centuries to Jews leaving Egypt and the preaching miracle worker Phillip. But those events and occurrences are mostly gone from the world scene.
Perhaps God is resorting to numerous and varied earthly catastrophes to catch humanities attention. Designed to serve in our modern world, as an astonishing event. If he is, it’s for two reasons. That the unbelieving might come to Know that “I, even I, am the LORD, and beside me there is no savior,”Isaiah 43:11.
And for the Body of Christ, “I will never leave you or forsake you,”Hebrews 13:5. A message carried over from Deuteronomy 31:6. “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, he it is, who goes with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.”