Cornered on every side. Their victory seemed short-lived. They had witnessed God’s miracles deliver them from Pharaoh’s grasp, yet here they were—trapped again. Fear gripped them, their breath caught in their lungs, their bodies ready to fail. Before them, an impassable sea; behind them, an enemy in relentless pursuit.
And then—the sea.
The wind howled, fierce and powerful. Waves that once surged forward now parted, shifting with purpose to create a path. Hearts pounded. Could it be? Could the mighty sea truly be splitting before their eyes?
Moses, weathered and steadfast, raised his staff and stepped forward. Was it possible? Would they walk on water? Yet, as they moved, the sea continued to part—a phenomenon unlike anything they had ever seen. Children reached out to touch the towering walls of water, sea creatures peering back at them like silent witnesses behind glass. Step by step, they moved forward. Step by step, they journeyed toward victory.
They dared not breathe until we reached the other side, the crossing a mixture of awe and urgency. But even then, the enemies pursued—chariots, horses, soldiers gaining ground. It seemed this victory, too, would be short-lived.
Yet, as they turned to look back, something beyond comprehension unfolded. Just as the sea had stood still to form walls, it now released its hold like a linen curtain falling in the breeze. The waves surged, crashing down upon the enemy. Every soldier, every horse, every warrior swallowed by the sea. Pharaoh himself, stubborn to the end, was swept away.
They stood in stunned silence. They waited, barely able to believe their eyes.
Then—from the front—a cheer. A guttural cry of triumph. It spread through the crowd like wildfire. Some danced, some wept, some fell to the ground in awe of God’s power. But all of them—they sang. Led by Miriam, their voices rose in a song of victory.
Our song of deliverance. Our way of escape.
Friend, how often do we feel cornered, just like the Israelites? In this retelling of their story found in Exodus 14, we can feel their panic, their desperation for a way out. Today, our “fight or flight” is often triggered not by physical danger, but by the burdens of life—career pressures, marriage struggles, financial stress, family responsibilities. The sheer effort it takes to live in this broken world can leave us feeling trapped.
But hear the Lord’s whisper today: “I will walk with you through the wind and fire.” When we cry out to Him, He brings us to our safe harbor (Psalm 107:30).
I don’t know what you’re facing. Just as you may not know my struggles. But God—our way-maker—knows. He doesn’t watch from above, detached and distant. No, He walks beside us, holding our hand, guiding us step by step. Even when it seems there is no way forward, He is making a way.
I am so grateful our story isn’t over. The Israelites’ journey didn’t end with a single miracle. It didn’t conclude with them figuring out the rest on their own. No—their story continued through victories and defeats until they reached the Promised Land. And just as He led them, He is leading you.
Yes, it may be scary. Yes, stepping out in faith is hard. Yes, you may tremble with uncertainty. But friend, you are walking through to your victory.
A miraculous thing happens when we reach the end of ourselves. When every resource is exhausted, every avenue closed. It feels suffocating—like a caged animal with nowhere to turn. But that is the moment when God steps in. When there is no doubt that every move, every breakthrough, is not of our own doing, but His alone.
“In my weakness, He is made strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
So, take heart today. The God of the universe is making a way for you. We may not know how (His ways are higher than ours), and we may not know when (His timing is beyond our understanding), but we do know this—He is walking with us.
And He isn’t just leading us to the other side so we can collapse in relief. No, He is bringing us to our destiny. To the purpose He created us for. To our Promised Land.
A Prayer for You:
Lord, you see the burdens weighing on our hearts. Many of us feel like we are holding on by a thread, trapped with no way of escape. But You, in Your kindness, walk beside us. You, in Your power, guide us through. You, the Creator of the Universe, make a way even in the most impossible situations.
Remind us today that You are near. That You are moving in ways we cannot yet see. That we are not forsaken, forgotten, or left to fend for ourselves. Those are lies the enemy tries to whisper, but we reject them. Instead, we stand in the truth: we are precious to You, beloved, and held securely in Your hands.
Nothing—nothing—can stand in Your way. Nothing can separate us from Your love (Romans 8:38-39).
We believe, Lord. We believe that we will see Your hand move in mighty ways. Let it be so. Amen.
I’d love to hear from you. If you’re facing a challenge and believing for God’s deliverance, share it with me in the comments or privately. I’d love to pray with you. And if you’ve experienced God’s faithfulness in your life, share your testimony—it is in these stories that we find encouragement and strength.
Here is one of my own testimonies of God’s faithfulness in our lives: https://melanietalevski.com/2021/09/26/peach-promises/
May you be blessed as you reflect on these words this week.
A free gift for you: Download my printable encouragement pictures from this blog. Decorate your mirror, wall, or put on your night stand for a visual reminder that God is coming through for you! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zaQ6yKSpSo5Y4jDlZc04dP9bwwaRKbUFVa0QyGkwuv4/edit?usp=sharing
Until next time,
P.S. I have a live video that posts each first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. MT. I’d love for you to join me! Head to https://www.youtube.com/@melanietalevski for more.
Melanie Talevski 