August 30th, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Waving the Flag

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord, often my heart beats to the rhythm of anxiety or courage, calm or excitement. Let it beat in praise to You.

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.

Meditate

“Your Word will be the last word / Your promises will stand for evermore / man’s thoughts and plans will come to an end / but Your Word will be the last word” (Tommy Walker). Let the praise begin!

Think Further

The capacity for a wholehearted, exuberant, victory celebration is one of God’s gifts to the human race (think of the fans of a winning Super Bowl team). It finds its greatest fulfillment when we offer worship back to the Creator who gave us this gift. In verses 1-12 the highlights of the prose story of chapter 14 are rehearsed in poetry. All the credits go to God: the warrior against the opposing team (3); the Lord, majestic and awesome (11), whose right hand initiates the winning moves (6, 12). But though the song is undoubtedly to be sung in a crowd, it is sung in the first person: it is “I” who sing it; God is “my” God; God has become “my” salvation (1,2). The praise is also an act of identification, and every worshiper in every subsequent generation expects to see the victory repeated in the pattern of their lives.

The second part of the song shows that this exuberant worship is more than just a release of emotion (13-18). It focuses on building confidence for the journey ahead. There are still dangerous opponents to be faced. It is good to think that news of this victory will frighten them and weaken their will to oppose God’s people (14-16). James captures this picture of demoralized foes when he says to those who submit to God, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7). Having won a great victory on the cross, God leads us, as he led Israel, with love and power towards an ultimate destiny (13,17).

Apply

What battles seem to lie just ahead for you? Sing or silently rehearse a victory song and look forward to God guiding you safely through whatever battles you will face.

Closing prayer

Mighty God, I am reminded today that in life I am not fighting for victory but from victory. You have already won the battle and I am Yours forever.

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