Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

By Ifeoluwa Fatoki

Devotional Reading: “And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.” (Exodus 14:10 NKJV)

No one likes to be in a state like that. But in life, we find ourselves in situations like this. These are times when we are sandwiched between what seems like two terrible options, and then we just have to make a choice. At this point, many make alliances with the devil, while some decide to drown in the deep sea. Some even attempt to look inwards, but in truth, none of this three options promises safety.

Again, we ask, what then do we do?

History reminds us that we won’t be the first at this point, in life. Thousands of years ago, God’s beloved Israel were in a similar situation. The mighty Egyptian Army was behind them, and the mighty Red Sea was ahead of them. Egypt symbolised slavery; and the Red Sea, destruction.

What is your own devil, or deep blue sea? To reject the offer, and find yourself out of job? If you leave this guy who molests you, you wonder how you’d find sustenance. Or is yours a totally different dilemma?

Well, instead of looking at the destruction ahead and the evil host behind, or even looking within, we can look up. That was what the Israelites did. They turned to God. And God did what He does best: Saving the ones who turn to Him.

The way out for any one between the devil and the deep blue sea is to look up (to God). If you’re in a situation like that, I invite you to pray, and if you’re not, please take a moment to pray for those who have found themselves in such situations this morning.

Prayer and Confession
Father, I receive grace to fix my gaze on You in the midst of the challenges of life

Further Reading: Exodus 14; Matthew 14:22-23