“Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters, who brings forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power (they shall lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick): Do not remember the for-mer things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:16-19 (NKJV)

The first two verses of this passage refer to the miraculous Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt, brought about by God’s own hand, and His servants, Moses and Aaron. The armies of Pharaoh along with their horses were buried in the sea after God brought the Israelites through. He had indeed made a way in the sea, and a path through the mighty waters. Another miracle among many that God performed during the Exodus. For the next 40 years, everyday brought another and another miracle from God, as He led Moses toward the “Promised Land.”

We might like to think that they were overjoyed to be free from the bondage which the Egyptian Pharaoh had placed on them. We would be incorrect in thinking so. They began almost immediately to murmur, and complain, at times even wishing to return to Egypt and their bondage, in exchange for food and water, longing for the “former things” which God speaks against in verse 18.

Do we not behave in a similar fashion? God has made a way for this great nation to exist. Against all odds, we were able to defeat one of the greatest military powers in the world. With a rag tag army of untrained and ill-equipped soldiers, Great Britain was defeated, and we gained our freedom from their bondage. One might think that we would be forever grateful for God’s miraculous delivery from British tyranny. Not so — less than two centuries would pass before many Americans would turn away from God.

Likewise, God made a way for us to know Him personally, and be free from our bondage to sin.

Just as the Israelites murmured and turned away from God, so too have many who were set free from sin have returned to their folly.

God is still making a way for those who want Him.

The Rev. Bobby Thornhill is a retired pastor.