The Red Sea
They only knew oppression. Egypt owned them. Worked them. Mistreated them. And then came Moses. Their victor. A leader. The way out.
In their desperation, they cried out to the Lord, and then He showed up through Moses. God gave Moses the supernatural ability to perform miraculous signs in the land of Egypt, eventually causing Pharoah’s heart to soften and let the Israelite people leave their chains behind.
As they fled, they approached the red sea. There was nowhere to go and Pharoah, with his chariot army, followed behind them. But God, in his powerful, loving manner, parted the sea—the impossible obstacle in front of them—and caused them to not only walk through, but walk through on dry ground. No wading through the mud, but solid, dry ground.
He does that, doesn’t he? Leads us to impossible places and suddenly makes a way. He’s the God of through.
The Wilderness
In the wilderness, God took care of his people. Daily he provided manna for them—food they had to rely on God to supply. Their sandals never wore out during those forty years. He protected them from the elements and sent a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to be their guide. When they were thirsty, he gave them access to water. Again and again, he taught them to rely on his faithfulness, even though they were in the wilderness.
Lonely. Isolated. Away from all they knew. Thrown into a new existence without any familiar comforts. No more slavery, yet led into the desert wilderness with no home, only a promise of a new land, filled with milk and honey.
And they never went lacking. Always had enough. And eventually made it to the Promised Land, even though it took forty years.
He does that, doesn’t he? Leads us to the wilderness to show us his faithfulness, but never leaves us there too long. He’s the God of through.
The Scarlet Cord
Rahab was known by her occupation—a prostitute. But when the two spies came into the city, she welcomed them in her home without question. She protected them. And helped them escape from the window of her home which was on the outer wall of the city.
She was not a leader in her community or an upstanding citizen. Her home wasn’t known for having reputable visitors. Yet, God chose Rahab because her heart was pliable. Soft. Willing. Obedient.
God didn’t care what Rahab did or was known for. He gave her a chance to be obedient. And she obeyed. As a result of her unwavering trust, she was chosen to be in the lineage of Jesus Christ. A harlot who became a follower. God’s graciousness in action.
He does that, doesn’t he? Chooses unlikely people and places us in positions where we must learn total trust through hard circumstances; shows us obedience is worth the sacrifice and position is determined by Him alone. He’s the God of through.
The Darkest Valley
David—the shepherd boy who became king—wrote Psalm 23. As he fought to protect the sheep he tended, he faced all sorts of wild animals, including a lion. God chose the lowliest of his family and made David a king. But just because he was chosen by God did not mean he had an easy life.
Saul became angry when he learned that David would be the next king. He pursued him with the intention of killing him and David ran for his life, hiding for many years. And yet, David did not seek revenge in return.
David’s darkest valley could have been when he was hiding in a cave. Or maybe when he had to kill a lion while protecting his sheep. It may have even been after he was king, and he committed adultery and murder, then was confronted in his sin. He lost children to death. He faced betrayal.
And yet David writes, “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me.” He understood that God would not remove the hardship, but instead would go with him through it. God was his firm foundation, his security. His comfort. He did not fear because he knew God was bigger, even bigger than his sin and loss.
He does that, doesn’t he? Chooses the unlikely for his own, and comforts us through every hardship, showing us that he will always make a way through the darkest valley. He’s the God of through.
The God of Through
A faithful reader friend reminded me of this sacred truth a few weeks ago as I processed the death of my grandmother. She wrote, “May your joy be restored as you walk through the valley of death. Operative word here is ‘through’.”
Her words have resonated in my heart as hardships emerge and grieving continues. God doesn’t leave us in our brokenness. He takes us through to the other side. And if we will continue in faithful obedience, he always makes a way, providing all we need, and comforting us like no other.
God doesn’t take the hard parts away, but He uses them to make us more like Him and learn to rest in his faithful, loving arms. Yes, He rescues. He also redeems. But we still have to go through. He will prove himself faithful again. And again. And again.
He is the God of through.
(For More on God’s faithfulness: Finding God Faithful in Every Season)
Copyright Christy Bass Adams, November 2023, All images from Canva
Yes, Christy. Through–to the other side.
Such powerful examples and a great lesson, applicable to so many situations! Thank you!