We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Travis Pate.
Bible Reading:
Exodus 15:13-21
13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 14 The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16 Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. 18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.” 19 For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
Word:
What an awesome scene this must’ve been on the far banks of the Red Sea. The man who had been raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, who had been called at a bush that didn’t burn up, who didn’t think he was able to live out his calling, was standing with God’s people on dry land overlooking the watery remnants of Pharaoh’s army. What would you do in response to what had occurred? Relief, celebration and cheering, or praise and worship?
Moses’s sister, Miriam, grabs a timbrel (what we call a tambourine) and leads the women in singing and dancing, praising God for what He has done! How do you respond when God provides the strength for you to overcome your adversary? Is it with relief because the danger is gone? Is it with celebration of what you were able to accomplish?
When is the last time you broke into song and dance to celebrate the goodness of God? Maybe that’s not your style, and that’s ok, too. Maybe you’re the quiet type, and singing and dancing might be a little embarrassing! A simple acknowledgment or prayer of thanksgiving would serve you just as well! It’s not so much the “how” of the response that’s important as the acknowledgment that God is the source of your strength and blessings!
We should always remember where our strength come from! “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Psalms 28:7 NIV
Prayer:
God, we come thanking you as the source of our strength in the face of our adversaries. We know that you love us and ask that you will forgive us when we don’t give you the glory for the victories and blessings in our lives. Help us to grow in our relationship with you so that we can trust you completely to fight on our behalf. And help us to have the courage to sing and dance in praise and honor to you! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Skillwork:
Do you give credit to God when He blesses you? Think back over the past year and make a list of the things you are thankful for and then say the prayer below.
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