He had often been afraid, but he was used to simply going ahead in spite of fear.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Man From Skibbereen)
“So he brought his people out of Egypt with joy, his chosen ones with rejoicing.”
–Psalm 105:43 (NLT)
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Imagine, if you can, the spot that Moses found himself in. He, through the power of God, had finally started on the way with the people of Israel. He had stood up to Pharaoh, witnessing to Him the power of God, and now he found himself with a vast multitude of people. Now, he is on the spot. The sea before him stopping the advance of the people, and Pharaoh has had a change of mind and the army of Egypt is right behind them.
He has proclaimed, “Let my people go!” and now he stands on the edge of the sea. He doesn’t blink, he doesn’t hesitate for he knows his God. His God is Yahweh, the I AM and Moses is confident that the sea is nothing to Him. He lifts his staff and the breath of the Lord parts the sea. I’m sure the people gasped in awe at the event as they scurried to the other side. Then Moses lowered his staff on the other side and the armies of Pharaoh were drowned. What were the feelings of Moses? Was he lifted up? Proud, maybe a little haughty? We have the answer in the Song of Moses found in Exodus 15.
1 — I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!
2 — 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.
3 — The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name.
4 — Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 — The depths have covered them; they sank to the bottom like a stone.
11 — Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 — You stretched out Your right hand; the earth swallowed them.
13 — You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.
17 — You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established.
18 — The LORD shall reign forever and ever. (NKJV)
I would encourage you to take the time today to read the complete Song of Moses. Get this, however, along with the other thoughts that you may gain from these verses, that the first thing Moses did after such a miraculous victory was to praise God. There were many other things that needed to be done. He had his “To Do” list but first and foremost he stopped to praise the Lord for such a wonderful salvation and victory.
God had rescued His people from Egypt. What has God rescued you from? Praise Him for the past victories. Praise Him for the victory that will come your way in the darkest hour you may be facing. Praise Him for what He is doing even though you cannot see it. F.B. Meyer said, “Dare to believe that one day, when you know as you are known, you shall understand the lovingkindness that underlay your darkest experience.” God is there with you in the darkness, in the storm, in the battle. Then praise Him as He leads you forward into tomorrow knowing that what He has done for you in the past, He will continue to do to bring you home to glory.
“When Moses and the Israelites from Egypt’s land did flee,
Their enemies behind them and in front of them the sea;
God raised the waters like a wall and opened up their way,
And the God that lives in Moses’ time is just the same today.”
–J.C. Addie