Read Psalm 106:6-12. 6Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. 7Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. 8Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. 9He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as through a desert. 10So he saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. 11And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. 12Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.
Hebrews 11 says that the Israelites crossed the Red Sea by faith. But, as we see here in Psalm 106 (and in Exodus 14), they sure didn’t start there. They started in forgetfulness not faith. They did not consider God’s wondrous works, or remember the abundance of his steadfast love. A bad mindset led to a bad decision – they rebelled by the sea. This is always the progression of sin, from mind to will. From forgetfulness to unfaithfulness.
This is why Peter tells us that our primary spiritual problem is a memory problem, and that his primary pastoral responsibility was to remind them of what God has done for them in Christ (2 Peter 1). This is why Paul tells us that we must constantly renew our minds so as to present our bodies to Christ.
Like unbelief, faith also begins in the mind, in the memory, and then moves to the will. How did the Israelites cross the sea by faith? Because their minds were changed when they saw the sea split open. Their feet moved when they saw the path open up before their eyes. They could never have mustered up enough faith to not fear and even rebel. Only by seeing the grace of God in action could their faith take steps forward.
Can you see your path forward? Does your union with Christ make it clear to you what God has done, is doing, and will do in your life? Does your co-crucifixion with Christ allow you to see your sins defeated, drown in the sea of God’s steadfast love? Does to live is Christ have you walking on dry ground? Or are you stuck in the paralyzing mud of ingratitude and forgetfulness?
Prayer. Jesus, like my spiritual fathers and mothers, I have done wickedness. I too easily forget your mercy and grace. Keep my heart both satisfied in you and moving forward in faith. Let me take steps on the dry ground of your love. Amen.
To Live is Christ 