The Assurance of a "High Hand" Victory
by Dr. John Tetsola

As a new season arises, it is often a time of reflection and preparation for new pursuits. A new day had dawned in the lives of the children of Israel. As long as they were enslaved by Pharaoh, it was business as usual. But Israel’s real battles began when they sought deliverance. Recognize that new pursuits incur greater battles, and the greater the battle, the more pronounced the victory. Allow God to be glorified as the nations of the earth witness the assured “high hand” victory of God over every Red Sea experience in your life.

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Exodus 14:8, 18

The children of Israel had been enslaved by the Egyptians for 400 years. But when the Lord slew all the firstborn males of the Egyptians, great fear came upon Egypt. It was then that Pharaoh let God’s people go, but not before Israel had stripped the Egyptians as they departed (Ex. 12:35-36). The Lord had given His people so much favor, that the Egyptians gave Israel whatever they asked. Instructed by Moses, Israel asked for the gold, the silver, and the clothing of their captors. Having witnessed the death of all their firstborn, and fearful of being killed themselves, they gave Israel everything they asked for. It was a divinely orchestrated “stick up.” Israel left with “a high hand” victory, meaning they had the upper hand in the deal. But however great their present victory, their intense struggle and ongoing battle with Pharaoh wasn’t over. God had not received the full measure of glory and honor that He wanted from Pharaoh…so He hardened Pharaoh’s heart. As a result, Pharaoh and his armies pursued after the children of Israel in one final attempt to bring them back into bondage. God must have laughed as He said, “the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten Me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.”
 

…I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

…For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom...

Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise…

Isaiah 43:1b, 3b, 16-17a

Don’t be challenged when the battle ensues after a pronounced “high hand” victory, and don’t faint in utter despair when you do not see God’s promises fully executed in the time-frame that you expected. You are assured of a “high hand” victory. It is God who has orchestrated this battle. He “will bring forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power” so that they can all be drowned in the waters set for your destruction. “They shall lie down together, they shall not rise.” The impossible can begin with you. There’s no victory without a challenge, and your challenge is just a set-up. God gave Egypt for Israel’s ransom, and He has given His Son for you…you are His. You are simply being strategically aligned on God’s chess board for three reasons: for something bigger and better to manifest in your life, so that your heart may be established in His great love and faithfulness to you, and so that He may obtain honor upon your enemies and be glorified. When there is no apparent way of escape, don’t panic. Allow God to demonstrate His miracle working power on your behalf. His power is able to create a dry path in the midst of your Red Sea experience. After God gets through flexing His muscles, all the Egyptians of the earth will have to acknowledge that the Lord, He is God, and you are His beloved.

by Dr. John A. Tetsola