My Own Red Sea By Jessica Daly My Daly Outreach
How many times have you wondered why God allowed you to be placed in a particularly difficult situation? I know I have, especially within the past 10 years of my life. Just last week, a dear friend suggested my husband and I read a book, which I know was sent to us from God for this particular season of our lives. It is entitled Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan, which has completely changed the way in which I view the Israelites’ experience at the shore of the Red Sea.
I read Exodus 14:8 which states, “The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.” I was really shocked. I had somehow missed the fact that God was responsible for the anger felt by Pharaoh, which led him to order the Egyptian army to pursue the slaves he had just freed to Moses. As I continued reading I realized how specifically God had directed his people to camp in a place only to be positioned in danger where there was no possible way of escape!
So let’s get this all straight. God has placed anger in the heart of Pharaoh against God’s chosen people and now put them in a place of no escape. None of this made sense, especially to the Israelites. I can definitely understand why they began to cry out to the Lord. Many of us have felt the very same way when found in a situation where there is no way of escape. The reason for this horrible situation orchestrated by God was only to show He alone could save His people in a miraculous way, for which we know He did!
Our lives are no different. We are God’s people and He continues to love us just as He loved the Israelites. I think back to the day, nine years ago, when three of the top cardiologists at Wake Med came into my husband’s hospital room only to explain there was “nothing more they could do”. I can still remember my utter feeling of helplessness and desperation which led to me beginning to cry out to my Lord just as the Israelites did thousands of years ago while they watched the Egyptian army fast approaching in the distance. And just like the Israelites, God had allowed me to be placed in a spot where no one could save my husband except the Lord. There was no procedure, no surgery, no medication, or treatment that could help.
Today, 10 years later this May, my husband, Brian, remains not only alive but also slowly healed. Doctors continue to state the fact that his improvement is medically unexplainable, which only leaves room for a miracle. The lesson learned is that God will never leave us in the midst of these Red Sea moments, but instead stands with us in order to deliver us from our enemy right on time.
Publisher Note: Jessica Daly is a native of Wayne County and currently resides in the Lynchburg, Va. She is a graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and East Carolina University where she has earned a BS in elementary education as well as her Master’s Degree in Library Science. Jessica is married to Brian Daly, a native of Wayne County for 14 years and they share a daughter, Taylor who is 11 years old. Jessica began My Daly Outreach Ministries, a ministry dedicated to caregivers, in January 2011. The ministry consists of an online website, www.mydalyoutreach.com, a published book entitled “Brian’s Update” and inspirational speaking across the country bringing awareness to forgotten caregivers. Jessica is now a Research Librarian at Liberty University.
