How to face the impossible.

What are the impossible situations that you are facing today? You don’t have to panic! You don’t have to give up! There is hope, an outcome, and a miracle in the waiting.

Scripture: Exodus 14:12-31

Just for one moment, stand in Israel’s shoes. How would you feel? What would you see? What would you smell? What would you hear? What would you taste?

We learn from Exodus 12:37-38 that there were about 600,000 men, excluding children. It is estimated that over 2 million people are needed to cross the Red Sea. The crossing lasted for about 6 to 8 hours (one night): a line somewhere between 20km long if they walked through 100 people abreast or about 40km if they walked 50 people abreast.

This is not a small gap in the sea with a short line of people!

God told Moses to turn south, so they headed through a wadi or canyon area called the Wadi Watir, which led to the sea. The Bible in Ex. 14:3 says, “They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.”

At their rear are enemies marching and travelling in chariots to capture them. On their left and right are towers of rocks and desert. And in front of them now is the Red Sea. Big problems surround them, and they have little time to think and find the solution for their escape. The Egyptians are coming.

In their power, they have three choices:

1. Lift the surrender banner – a white flag – before the enemy could kill or forcibly capture any of them.
2. Take a chance by quickly mobilizing the people to resist and fight the enemy.
3. Delay their capture by hiding on the rocks or running in the desert.

But… in all of this is a place of safety: the will of God is what they were doing and where they found themselves. Let’s highlight two verses, Exodus 14:13-14, “Moses answered, ‘Don’t be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the LORD will do to save you today; you will never see these Egyptians again. The LORD will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still.‘”

In these verses, God, through Moses, gave the threefold solution to an impossible situation, which is entirely different from a human solution.

1. Don’t be afraid. They don’t have to surrender.
2. Stand still. They do not have to fight back.
3. See the salvation of the Lord. There is no need to hide.

It is not easy to relax in the face of danger, and it seems impractical to do nothing in a time of distress or to expect something good to happen when all you can see is darkness everywhere. But Exodus 14;14 is clear: God Himself will do the fighting.

This reality highlights the meeting point of humanness and a Godly intervention in impossible circumstances.

To enjoy the leading and protection of God in life, you have to be in the right standing with God and be, live and move in His will. From this point onward, you must make peace with what God has in store, including the results – which will sometimes be very difficult for us but always to His glory.

When you are up against the impossible, it’s impossible because human vision, ability and resources are rendered useless. The only thing that can save you or facilitate a breakthrough is a miracle from God. Call out to Him:

1. Pray. You cannot overcome unless you prayerfully bring the problem to God.
2. Trust. Confess your faith – and trust God. Trusting God, placing everything in His power precedes (goes before), standing still and holding peace.
3. Praise and worship. Immerse yourself in praise and worship so you can visualize the salvation of the Lord. Praise and worship Him in advance for His deliverance.

These three things are your necessary weapons when dealing with the impossible. But do they work? Let’s confirm this 3-fold solution elsewhere with Scripture, 2 Chronicles 20:1-27: The national danger that Israel had faced during the reign of Jehoshaphat.

• Verses 1 & 2: Israel faces three different groups of people: The Moabites, the Ammonites and the Meunites.
  • Verse 1 “Sometime later the armies of Moab and Ammon, together with their allies, the Meunites, invaded Judah.”
  • Verse 2 “Some messengers came and announced to King Jehoshaphat: “A large army from Edom has come from the other side of the Dead Sea to attack you. They have already captured Hazazon Tamar.” (This is another name for Engedi.).“
• Verses 3 to 13, they prayed after fasting.
  • Verse 6 “and prayed aloud, “O LORD God of our ancestors, you rule in heaven over all the nations of the world. You are mighty, and no one can oppose you.“
  • Verse 12 “You are our God! Punish them, for we are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.“
• Verses 15 & 17, they trusted.
  • Verse 15 “Jahaziel said, “Your Majesty and all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, the LORD says that you must not be discouraged or be afraid to face this large army. The battle depends on God, not on you.“
  • Verse 17 “You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait; you will see the LORD give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid. Go out to battle, and the LORD will be with you!“
• In verses 18 & 21, they praised God.
  • Verse 18 “Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshiped the LORD.“
  • Verse 21 “After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army, singing: “Praise the LORD! His love is eternal!“
• Verses 22 & 23, the results.
  • Verse 22 “When they began to sing, the LORD threw the invading armies into a panic.“
  • Verse 23 “The Ammonites and the Moabites attacked the Edomite army and completely destroyed it, and then they turned on each other in savage fighting.“

To God be the glory, amen.