I Will Sing Unto the Lord
Opening Prayer
Lord God, speak Your Word to me today. Help me know Your will and obey it.
Read Exodus 15:1-18
[1] 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; 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. [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 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 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.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What did the Israelites do first upon escaping Pharaoh's army?Scholars tell us that this is probably the oldest psalm in existence. It comes from open Israelite hearts that are full of praise and wonder after their miraculous rescue. It celebrates not only the wonderful things that God has done (1b, 4-8,10,12), but also the wonderful things he will do (13-18). God, both then and now, is not just some wonder-working rescuer. God acts in history not just to impress us but because he wants to show us the kind of God he is, and the kind of personal relationship he wants to have with us. God is Savior (“warrior” in v. 3 is a primitive form of this), and highly exalted (1), but he is above all a personal God (note the number of times the possessive “my” is used in v. 2). He leads and redeems his people in love; in strength he guides them (13). Again and again, this motif of the God who rescued his people in the Exodus is recounted. But it’s always seen to be foundational to our understanding of who God is and of his desire to have a personal, caring and loving relationship with us.
Apply
Spend some time reflecting on what you appreciate about God. Ask him to show you more of himself as you live life today.
Closing prayer
King Jesus, I earnestly repent of my sins and pray that I will be Your loving follower today, and every day.
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