Brian Pruitt: Surviving what should’ve drowned You
Scroll to read a recap of Brian Pruitt’s sermon from January 4th, 2026
Let’s Break it Down
Life often places us between what we're leaving behind and what lies ahead, just like the Israelites trapped between Pharaoh's army and the Red Sea. These impossible moments aren't just about survival - they're divine appointments designed to reveal God's character and power.
Key Takeaways
Red Sea moments are divine appointments for spiritual education and revelation of God's character, not just obstacles to overcome
We should focus on taking notes and learning about God during trials rather than rushing for relief
Faith requires moving forward before we can see the evidence or full solution
God sometimes leads us into impossible situations to reveal His power and teach us to depend on Him
We must release the past (unforgiveness, negative perceptions, problems) to step into God's promises for the future
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5 Day Devotional
Day 1:Caught Between Yesterday and Tomorrow
Devotional: Have you ever felt trapped between a rock and a hard place? The Israelites knew this feeling intimately as they stood at the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army thundering behind them and an impossible body of water stretching before them. They were literally caught between their painful past and an uncertain future. Many of us find ourselves in similar places, especially during seasons of transition. We know we can't go back to where we were, but the path forward seems just as terrifying. Maybe you're leaving a toxic relationship but fear being alone. Perhaps you're stepping away from a secure but unfulfilling job toward an uncertain calling. Or you might be healing from past wounds while wondering if you'll ever truly be free. These moments feel overwhelming, but they're actually divine setups. God doesn't accidentally lead us into impossible places. He strategically positions us where only His power can provide the solution. When human strength, wisdom, and resources fall short, we discover that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. The Israelites couldn't fight their way out or swim their way through. They had to trust that the same God who delivered them from Egypt would deliver them through the sea. Your Red Sea moment isn't a mistake or a punishment - it's an invitation to witness God's power in a way you've never experienced before. Instead of panicking about being stuck, consider that you might be perfectly positioned for a miracle. God is about to show you something about His character that will change how you see Him forever.
Bible Verse
"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. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. But the Egyptians fled toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore." - Exodus 14:26-30
Reflection Question
What impossible situation are you currently facing that might actually be God positioning you to witness His power in a new way?
Quote Have you ever been stuck between a problem and a solution that looked worse than the problem?
Prayer
Lord, when I feel trapped between my past and my future, help me remember that You specialize in impossible situations. Give me the faith to trust that where You lead me, You will also provide for me. Help me see this Red Sea moment not as a dead end, but as a divine setup for Your glory. Amen.
Day 2:Choosing Revelation Over Relief
Devotional: When crisis hits, our natural instinct is to seek the fastest way out. We want relief, and we want it now. But what if God has something more valuable in mind than just getting us out of trouble? What if He wants to give us revelation that will transform how we see Him forever? The Israelites at the Red Sea had a choice: panic and focus solely on escape, or pay attention to what God was revealing about His character. Too often, we're so focused on surviving our circumstances that we miss the education God wants to provide about who He is. Every Red Sea experience is both a path of escape and a path of exposure. Yes, God wants to deliver you, but He also wants to reveal Himself to you in ways that will strengthen your faith for future battles. When you're in the middle of your impossible situation, are you taking notes on God's faithfulness? Are you observing how He moves on your behalf? The revelation you gain in your Red Sea moment isn't just for that moment - it's preparation for your wilderness seasons ahead. The Israelites who witnessed the parting of the Red Sea should have had unshakeable faith in the desert, but they forgot what they learned. They rushed for relief instead of embracing revelation. Don't waste your Red Sea experience by only focusing on getting out. Take time to observe God's power, His timing, His provision, and His protection. These observations will become the foundation of your faith when you face future challenges. The goal isn't just survival; it's spiritual education that transforms how you trust God.
Bible Verse
"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. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. But the Egyptians fled toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore." - Exodus 14:26-30
Reflection Question
In your current challenges, are you rushing for relief or are you looking for revelation about God's character and power?
Quote Are you rushing for relief or are you looking for revelation?
Prayer
Father, help me slow down in the midst of my crisis to see what You want to teach me about who You are. Give me eyes to see Your hand at work and a heart that treasures revelation over quick relief. Let this difficult season become a classroom where I learn to trust You more deeply. Amen.
Day 3:Faith Steps Before Evidence Appears
Devotional: Imagine being told to walk toward a wall of water that could crush you at any moment. That's exactly what God asked the Israelites to do. Before they saw the sea part, before they had evidence of safety, they had to take their first steps toward the impossible. Faith always moves forward before evidence appears. We want to see the path clearly before we take the first step, but God often requires us to step into uncertainty while trusting His promises. The Israelites couldn't see the dry ground until they started walking toward the water. Maybe you're facing a decision that requires you to move forward without all the answers. Perhaps God is calling you to forgive someone before you feel like it, to give generously before your finances look secure, or to pursue a dream before you can see how it will work out. These moments require faith that acts on God's word rather than visible circumstances. The beautiful truth is that God creates dry ground in dangerous places. He doesn't just remove obstacles; He transforms them into pathways. The very thing that looked like it would destroy the Israelites became their route to freedom. Your Red Sea might not disappear, but God will make a way through it. When you step out in faith, you're not stepping into emptiness - you're stepping onto the solid foundation of God's promises. He has never failed to provide for those who trust Him. Your first step of faith might feel scary, but it's actually the safest step you can take because it's taken in obedience to the One who controls every outcome.
Bible Verse
"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. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. But the Egyptians fled toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore." - Exodus 14:26-30
Reflection Question
What step of faith is God asking you to take before you can see the evidence of how He will provide?
Quote Faith moves forward before evidence.
Prayer
Lord, give me the courage to move forward in faith even when I can't see the full picture. Help me trust that You will provide dry ground in dangerous places and that my obedience to Your voice is always the safest path. Strengthen my faith to step forward before evidence appears. Amen.
Day 4:Your Red Sea Might Be Your Escort
Devotional: What if the very thing you think is blocking your path is actually escorting you to your promise? The Red Sea looked like an insurmountable obstacle to the Israelites, but it became their highway to freedom. Sometimes what appears to be our greatest hindrance is actually God's greatest provision. Consider how the Red Sea served the Israelites: it provided protection from their enemies, demonstrated God's power, and created a clear boundary between their past and their future. What should have killed them actually guarded them. The same waters that drowned their enemies became walls of protection on their journey to the promised land. Your current struggle might be serving a similar purpose. That difficult season you're walking through could be protecting you from something worse, preparing you for something better, or positioning you for a breakthrough you can't yet see. The job loss that feels devastating might be redirecting you toward your true calling. The relationship that ended might be protecting you from future heartbreak. God has a way of turning our obstacles into opportunities and our setbacks into setups. He doesn't waste our pain; He transforms it into purpose. The very experiences that threaten to destroy us often become the foundation for our greatest victories. Instead of fighting against your Red Sea, consider that it might be exactly where God wants you. Trust that He can use even the most challenging circumstances to escort you into His promises. What looks like a dead end to you might be a divine detour that leads to something far better than you originally imagined.
Bible Verse
"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. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. But the Egyptians fled toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore." - Exodus 14:26-30
Reflection Question
How might your current Red Sea experience actually be escorting you toward God's promises rather than blocking your path?
Quote Maybe the Red Sea was literally. What if the Red Sea was actually an escort leading you to your promise?
Prayer
God, help me see my challenges through Your eyes. Show me how You might be using this difficult season to escort me to something better. Give me faith to trust that what should have killed me now guards me, and that You can turn any obstacle into an opportunity for Your glory. Amen.
Day 5:Step Into Tomorrow With Promise-Land Faith
Devotional: The moment the Israelites stepped into the Red Sea, they should have acted like they were already in the promised land. Their minds and hearts needed to be there before their feet arrived. This is the secret to navigating Red Sea experiences successfully - you must mentally and spiritually position yourself in God's promises before you physically arrive. Too many people cross through their Red Sea experiences but never truly leave Egypt behind. They carry the mindset, fears, and limitations of their past into their future. They survive the crossing but don't thrive in their new season because they never fully embraced the transformation God intended. You can't cross into tomorrow while holding hands with yesterday. If God is leading you through a Red Sea experience, it's time to release what's behind you and embrace what's ahead. This means changing how you think, speak, and act. Start declaring God's promises over your life. Begin making decisions based on who God says you are, not who you used to be. The revelation you've gained from your Red Sea experience should give you confidence for whatever wilderness seasons lie ahead. You've seen God's power, faithfulness, and provision. You know He is bigger than your problems, your past, and your pain. Let this knowledge transform how you approach future challenges. When you step forward in faith, step with the confidence of someone who has witnessed miracles. Walk with the assurance of someone who knows their God can make a way where there seems to be no way. Your Red Sea experience wasn't just about survival - it was about transformation. Let it change you from the inside out.
Bible Verse
"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. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. But the Egyptians fled toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore." - Exodus 14:26-30
Reflection Question
What mindsets or fears from your past do you need to leave behind so you can fully embrace the future God has for you?
Quote You can't cross into tomorrow while holding hands with yesterday.
Prayer
Lord, help me leave yesterday behind and step fully into the future You have planned for me. Transform my mind and heart to align with Your promises. Give me the courage to act like I'm already walking in Your blessings, even before I can see them fully manifested. Let my Red Sea experience change me from the inside out. Amen.