The same God who led you in will lead you out. The Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan is a small but powerful jewel of a book offering 10 principles for facing difficult times. Published by Thomas Nelson originally in 2001, over 300,000 copies have been sold. Regardless of the type of seemingly impossible situation, the book offers hope, encouragement and step-by-step godly advice.
In Exodus 14, the Israelites found themselves in a crisis – trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the uncrossable Red Sea. We sometimes we find ourselves trapped as well by life’s difficult situations. Using this dramatic account in Exodus, Morgan attempts to show that if you allow Him, the same God who led you in will lead you out.
In addition to The Red Sea Rules which has study questions in the back of the book, a small group study has been developed called Crisis 101. This 10 week study incorporates the material from The Red Sea Rules in an easy to lead format with video teaching from Robert J. Morgan, real life testimonies, discussion questions and brief homework assignments.
My church is currently offering this as a class in our Discipleship program. The enrollment was double what we anticipated. The material is helping those going through a crisis and training everyone to minister to others.
In Exodus 14, God had His people exactly where He wanted them. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, He taught them a lesson in trust. While their enemy pursued, they looked to Him and cried out. God provided a way out of the impossible. In a dramatic but unique way He led them one step at a time to their deliverance.
In The Red Sea Rules, Morgan devotes a chapter to each rule:
Realize that God means for you to be where you are.
Be reminded that the Lord places or allows us to be in difficult situations.
Be more concerned for God’s glory than for your relief.
Morgan states, “God doesn’t waste suffering.” Our perspective completely changes when we change our question from, “How can I get out of this mess?” to “How can God be glorified in this situation?”
Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
To some degree Satan will pursue us during a crisis. While we must learn how to recognize his activity, our focus must be on Christ as we follow Him to lead us out of the crisis.
Pray!
This is crisis-prayer – intense and urgent. As we seek God, He helps us to stay strong and even-tempered.
Stay calm and confident, and give God time to work.
We show maturity when we keep our emotions under control, don’t panic and wait for God to work out His perfect plan.
When unsure just take the next logical step by faith.
Morgan encourages us to trust God for guidance. Even though we can’t see the end of the road, we can take one step forward.
Envision God’s enveloping presence.
God’s presence is with us regardless of the crisis. He promises.
Trust God to deliver in His own unique way.
God delivers but not necessarily in the way we think He will. Morgan states that it is sometimes miraculous, sometimes providential and sometimes mysterious.
View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future.
Allow God to build your faith in order to better handle future crises and to help others.
Don’t forget to praise Him.
The natural reaction to what God has done and is doing in our lives is to praise Him!
Apply these strategies to your own life and watch how God will deliver you, too.