Step Forward

Exodus 6:23 “Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.”

Exodus 14:21-22 “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”

Think

Do you ever feel like your life is just a series of endless tasks and commitments, where your to-do list stretches longer than a runway at DFW Airport? We all know what it’s like to be on the edge, where the dreams seem just out of reach and the waves of life keep us from stepping into the unknown. It’s that place where you stand at the shoreline, yearning to wade deeper, but the surf mocks your hesitation, keeping you anchored in the shallow.

There's a powerful story from Jewish history about a man named Nahshon ben Aminadab. Nahshon, whose sister was married to Aaron, brother of Moses, found himself, along with the Israelites, fleeing from Egypt. Picture them, trapped between an advancing army and a vast sea. As the chariots thundered closer, Nahshon did something remarkable. According to Jewish Midrash and Talmud, he steadied his heart and walked into the sea. While Moses was following God, he was also. This wasn’t just about escaping danger; it was a profound act of faith. He believed that stepping into the waters was stepping toward hope itself. The waters rose to his chin, yet his faith remained unwavering, and at that critical moment, the sea parted.

What if, like Nahshon, the moments when we feel overwhelmed are actually invitations to deeper faith? Sometimes, it seems as if the waters won’t part, as if God allows the tide to rise, not to overwhelm us, but to wash away our lesser desires, leaving only our trust in him. It’s in these moments, when we’re out of our depth, that we truly touch the depth of God. Nahshon’s example teaches us that unwavering faith isn’t just about witnessing miracles; it’s about the decision to trust God and move forward, even when the waters close in.

Nahshon’s legacy didn’t end at the Red Sea. He is listed in the Gospel of Matthew as the father-in-law of Rahab, the grandfather of Boaz, the great, great, great grandfather of King David, and in the lineage of Jesus himself. This connection reminds us of the powerful impact of faith that stretches beyond the immediate crisis. So, as we face our own seas—whether they be troubled relationships, personal loss, or difficult challenges—let us walk into them with faith, up to our eyeballs in trust, knowing that he who calls us is faithful. Just as God was with Nahshon at the water's edge, so too is he with us, worthy of every ounce of our trust and beyond ready to guide us through the deep.

Apply

"Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). Where is God leading you that you need to trust him and step out? Identify one area in your life where you feel called to step out in faith but have hesitated due to fear or uncertainty.

Pray

Lord, give me the courage to step in the deep and follow you. Help me to walk by faith, not by sight, trusting that you are with me, guiding each step towards your purposes. Remind me that you are the God that parts the waters, who makes a way when there seems to be no way. Give me wisdom to know when to move and when to wait on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.