“… to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever…” – Psalm 136:13-15
I love how Psalm 136 repeats the phrase “for his steadfast love endures forever” over and over between pieces of history that the psalmist highlights. The theme of God’s steady, unchanging love is such a reassurance to my heart.
Recently, I was reflecting on the parts the Bible narrative that are recalled in this psalm and how they fit together. I was thinking about verse 15: “to him who divided the Red Sea in two.” What would it be like to watch God divide the Red Sea in two and see that display of His power?
But then the next sentence made me think about the different lens of faith required for the action God describes in verse 14: “and made Israel pass through the midst of it.” It would be one thing to watch from the shore of the Red Sea, and it would be a much different thing to walk through it – all of a sudden, my life is on the line and I have to believe that God is going to hold up these walls of water until I get to the other side. This would require moment-by-moment faith – I can imagine the Israelites looking up as they walk through on the floor of the sea. I think of how Galatians 2:20 parallels that moment-by-moment need to trust: “…And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God…”
In the next verse, we get to see God’s sovereignty and strength in the timing of the collapse of the sea. Not only did the Israelites cross safely but God wiped out Pharaoh’s army.
Sometimes we find
ourselves in places where we wish we could stand by and see God complete the
story from a safe vantage point, but we often have to walk ahead and trust Him
moment-by-moment for His providence. But we have a comfort during those times!
The psalmist takes great pains to remind us of God’s steady love throughout
times of uncertainty and fear. Lord, help us to look to Your steady love, and
to You who “does great wonders” (v.
4) during difficult times!