Reading
- Ex. 13:17-15:21
Devotional
On the night that GOD killed the firstborn of the Egyptians, Pharaoh immediately sent the children of Israel out of the land, just as GOD told Moses it would happen. But GOD had one more miracle to show Pharaoh. Shortly after the Hebrews began their journey out of Egypt, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened once more, and he gathered hundreds of chariots and chased after the children of Israel.
As the children of Israel approached the Red Sea they saw the Egyptians pursuing them in the distance. They were trapped! They were afraid, so they complained to Moses and cried out to GOD.
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall be quiet.”
(Ex. 14:13-14 NKJV)
Then GOD parted the mighty waters of the Red Sea and Moses led the people through on dry ground. How amazing, and yet scary, it must have been to walk along the bottom of the ocean floor, on dry ground, with the seas standing tall on either side of you—in the middle of the night with GOD’s pillar of fire lighting the way! As the Egyptians tried to follow the children of Israel through the path in the sea, GOD confused their chariots and caused the waters to return to their normal place, drowning Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The text says:
Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.
(Ex. 14:31 NKJV)
When Moses and the children of Israel saw how GOD delivered them from the Egyptians, they were overjoyed! They sang a beautiful song to GOD because they were happy and they wanted to praise GOD for His deliverance and protection. The words of that song being as follows:
“I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. …”
(Ex. 15:1-2 NKJV)
This is exactly the type of response GOD is looking for from us! When He blesses us in some way GOD wants us to be thankful and to praise Him. Consider James 5:13:
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
(Jam. 5:13 NKJV)
This would be the first among many times where GOD delivered the children of Israel during a battle, fighting for them, requiring only faithful obedience on their part. GOD was teaching them to rely upon Him for protection and deliverance.
