The Red Sea and Discipline - Revelation 041009

Hebrews 11, the book on faith. Many times when we think about Hebrews 11, we think of how Abraham offered his son isaac, and how faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

However, today, I had a revelation of a different perspective.

In verse 29, it says:

"By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned."

Why did the egyptians drown and perish?

Is it because they were God's enemies? Yes. But there's more.

When the soldiers saw the red sea part and the children of Israel crossing it, they chased after them. However, when they were passing through, they looked at the far distance ahead, and the waters on the sides, they began to lose faith and doubt, some felt that they couldnt do it, its just too far, what if the waters collapse on us?

Eventually, they perished under the waves.

Crossing the red sea requires faith.

Without faith, like the soldiers, we will just crumble and perish under the pressures of life.

Secondly, Egypt in blibical terms is always referenced to the world.

Assuming both the children of Israel and the soldiers had faith to cross the red sea, then why did the soldiers still perish? Yes, they were God's enemies. But...

As 'Egyptian' soldiers, they represented the faith of this world and not the faith of God.

Crossing the red sea also requires the right kind of faith.

God has given us a life of faith, a WALK of faith. We have to keep walking. But similarly, this walk of faith, requires the faith of God. If we cross the red sea using our natural strength, our natural faith, we will still perish under the waves.

Its like plugging into a power supply, we have to use the right voltage.

A christian walk requires christian faith, its as simple as that. You will only get 'christian' rewards, if only you have the 'christian' desires. Its all about the right voltage.

If you want spiritual gifts, you have to pay 'spiritual currency' for it. That includes faith, a life of prayer and fasting, being strong in the word, etc.

I read on in chapter 12, it says God, being a Father, WILL discipline His children. And discipline is always sorrowful, but at the end of the day, we become better people.

If you're going through a tough time, then start being aware of what went wrong, more than just a trial or a period of testing, it can also be a period of disciplining and chastising.

If God gives us a test and we fail it over and over again, we will just have to keep on retaking it until we pass it. Lets not get stuck time and time again. We wont really go very far unless we outgrow ourselves.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result.

Lets not be insane christians and God certainly doesnt want us to be insane, sometimes He has to give us that jolt of reality to wake us up. God wants us to be skyscrapers in life. But if we're gonna have a kampong foundation, then all you will be in life, is just a small little kampong hut. One cigarette butt is enough to burn you down.

Zangetsu from Bleach says:

Cast off your fear!

Look forward!

Never stand still!

Retreat and you will age!

Hesitate and you will die!