day seven: The waters of baptism mark a new beginning from slavery to freedom.

Once the Israelites made the decision to leave Egypt, they could not stand still, because the armies of Pharaoh were in hot pursuit to enslave them once again. They had to make the decision to go all in and trust God through the waters of the Red Sea. 

Just picture it for a moment and walk through it as the Israelites must have done. We’re so used to hearing this story, we know exactly how it will end, but they didn’t. 

In front of you is the vast Red Sea that will lead you to the Promised Land and you don’t have a boat or a paddle to help you cross. Behind you is your enemy, breathing down your neck. The situation seems impossible, until God breathes right through the obstacles, parting the ocean just for you.. You’re not sure what awaits on the other side but you take the next step of faith and cross.

The risk of the walls collapsing during the crossing is real and could mean death. In a way, the Red Sea signifies death – the death of the enslaved self in Egypt, and the emergence from the Red Sea marks a new creation, born to be free.

That is why Paul reminds us of their crossing in his letter to the Corinthians. The Israelites' water passage serves the same purpose as water baptism does for us today – a transition from slavery to freedom, from the old self enslaved to sin to the new self in God's image.

After we make the decision to break free, standing still is not an option. Taking the next step on our freedom journey involves traversing the waters of baptism. And once we’re on the other side, we continue walking towards freedom, guided by the Holy Spirit, just as the Israelites were.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 10:1-2
 
-    1 I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters,[a] about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. 2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. 

Scripture Reference: Colossians 2:12
 
-    For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 

Prayer Prompt: Thank God for his miraculous deliverance from slavery and ask Him to guide you to the next step in your walk of faith. If you’re afraid or uncertain, ask God for the faith you need to stay the course. ​