By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

Sometimes faith is patient and requires godly restraint. It waits on God for the right timing and circumstances to arise for his glory and victory to accomplish his purposes. Other times, it requires action of us to believe him in ways that are unheard of or impossibly amazing! Both demonstrate faith. And in the balance of both is spiritual alertness and agility to move and act when called on, and only then.

The Israelites waited on God for years and years of slavery. All of Moses’ life to date (approximately 80 years or so to this point) they were enslaved. And the faithful never gave up hope. Moses’ parents, Moses, and others prayed and sought God in tough times and honored him in their worship. This faith was built up, even pent up, waiting for an outlet to shine.

And shine in faith, Moses and the Jews did. They believed God and painted their doorposts with blood, as the destroying angel who came for the firstborn children passed over their homes. Only the Egyptians were hammered with this hard, hard judgment for their disobedience to God.

They also believed God with faith-in-action, when it seemed like the same old story was happening again — the Egyptians went back on their word and hunted them down in their Cadillac-style chariots. And Moses parted the Red Sea and they crossed. Then Moses closed the Red Sea and the Egyptians drowned.

What type of faith is God calling me to exercise in my life and my responsibilities today? Am I called to pray and wait in a patient faith that builds up and is ready to wait, then act on God’s lead? Or am I called to act in ways that are beyond my strength and abilities?

Lord, thank you for the active faith of Moses and the Israelites. Thank you, also, for the patient and powerful praying faith that was built up. You are present in each stage of our faith development, and I love walking with you. Help me to listen and follow your lead and your commands.