Passage of the Day:
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea,2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense[a]; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.[b]5 The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy. 7 “In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. 8 By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ 10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? 12 “You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies 13 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. 14 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. 15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people[c] of Canaan will melt away; 16 terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone—until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought[d] pass by. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance—the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established. 18 “The Lord reigns for ever and ever.” 19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen[e] went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea,” Exodus 15:1-21.
Reflection:
Song writing is usually reserved for artists, musicians and professionals. However, what today’s featured passage teaches us is that when you are moved by a special moment in life, inspiration may come to you in the form of a song. As Moses and the Israelites witness God do the impossible, holding back one portion of the Red Sea as the other fell upon the Egyptian army, words flowed from their mouths. Rather than remain stoic, it’s important to celebrate the miracles that God performs in the lives of Christians.
Prayerful Action:
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand, Psalm 16:11.
Retracing Your Steps:
I knew nothing about song writing when I was offered a teaching position at a boarding school in West Virginia. As the semester came to an end, the beauty of the Monongahela National Forest combined with teaching poetry conceived a desire to dabble in music. Before 1994 came to an end, I went on to compose an album entitled A Simple Confession. This writing journey began when I started to celebrate the miracles that God was doing in my life.
Song of the Day:
The lyrics of Ellie Holcomb’s song reminds Christians that our lives might face unprobeable roads like the Israelites facing the Red Sea. May the Bible provide light for your path as you go through your own Red Sea Road.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 