Exodus 15:1-18
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? – Exodus 15:11
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Earlier in Exodus 14:11–12, we read that when the Israelites were escaping slavery in Egypt but found themselves pursued by Pharaoh’s army, they cried out to Moses in fear and despair: “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? … Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
Could they truly have believed that slavery in Egypt was better than trusting God in the wilderness? In that moment of crisis, faced with the Red Sea in front and an army behind, they forgot the God who had just delivered them from bondage. Instead of calling on the Lord, the one who had already proven His power through the ten plagues, they gave in to fear and doubt. This is a revealing picture of the human heart: quick to receive God’s blessings, yet slow to keep Him at the centre. We, too, often forget God’s faithfulness when trouble comes, and many of us, even those who profess Jesus as Lord, tend to turn to human help before turning to God.
But God saw the fear of His people. Through Moses, He spoke these powerful words: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13–14) Indeed, the Israelites were terrified. Behind them was a powerful Egyptian army; in front of them, an impassable sea. Yet in that very moment, God was preparing to display His glory. The Red Sea, which seemed like a barrier to life, became a pathway to deliverance. As the Israelites walked through on dry ground, the pursuing Egyptians were swallowed by the sea. Not a single one survived (v. 28).
Brothers and sisters, have you ever experienced such a moment? A time when all seemed lost, until God made a way where there was no way? Nearly two million Israelites witnessed firsthand the greatness of God’s salvation. And in response, they broke out in worship.
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation… The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.” (Exodus 15:1–3) They declared: “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (v.11)
The same people who once asked, “Why did you bring us out here to die?” were now singing, “The Lord will reign forever and ever” (v.18).
Let this be a reminder to us: even when our path seems blocked and fear presses in, God is still at work. He is the Lord who fights for His people, who parts seas, and who turns panic into praise. May we learn to trust Him not only in our deliverance but also in our waiting, and sing of His greatness even before the waters part.
Prayer:
Most Holy and Glorious Father, You are the God who works wonders, and we thank You for Your mighty acts among the people of Israel. You made a way where there was none and turned their despair into deliverance. Help us, Your children, to truly know that You alone are worthy of all our praise. Lead us by Your steadfast love as we journey through this life on earth, and teach us to trust in Your power and faithfulness each day. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Click to read
Earlier in Exodus 14:11–12, we read that when the Israelites were escaping slavery in Egypt but found themselves pursued by Pharaoh’s army, they cried out to Moses in fear and despair: “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? … Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
Could they truly have believed that slavery in Egypt was better than trusting God in the wilderness? In that moment of crisis, faced with the Red Sea in front and an army behind, they forgot the God who had just delivered them from bondage. Instead of calling on the Lord, the one who had already proven His power through the ten plagues, they gave in to fear and doubt. This is a revealing picture of the human heart: quick to receive God’s blessings, yet slow to keep Him at the centre. We, too, often forget God’s faithfulness when trouble comes, and many of us, even those who profess Jesus as Lord, tend to turn to human help before turning to God.
But God saw the fear of His people. Through Moses, He spoke these powerful words: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13–14) Indeed, the Israelites were terrified. Behind them was a powerful Egyptian army; in front of them, an impassable sea. Yet in that very moment, God was preparing to display His glory. The Red Sea, which seemed like a barrier to life, became a pathway to deliverance. As the Israelites walked through on dry ground, the pursuing Egyptians were swallowed by the sea. Not a single one survived (v. 28).
Brothers and sisters, have you ever experienced such a moment? A time when all seemed lost, until God made a way where there was no way? Nearly two million Israelites witnessed firsthand the greatness of God’s salvation. And in response, they broke out in worship.
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation… The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.” (Exodus 15:1–3) They declared: “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (v.11)
The same people who once asked, “Why did you bring us out here to die?” were now singing, “The Lord will reign forever and ever” (v.18).
Let this be a reminder to us: even when our path seems blocked and fear presses in, God is still at work. He is the Lord who fights for His people, who parts seas, and who turns panic into praise. May we learn to trust Him not only in our deliverance but also in our waiting, and sing of His greatness even before the waters part.
Prayer:
Most Holy and Glorious Father, You are the God who works wonders, and we thank You for Your mighty acts among the people of Israel. You made a way where there was none and turned their despair into deliverance. Help us, Your children, to truly know that You alone are worthy of all our praise. Lead us by Your steadfast love as we journey through this life on earth, and teach us to trust in Your power and faithfulness each day. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.