Last year a house on a nearby court caught fire during the night. It was incredible how quickly the flames spread. Thankfully the couple living there were awakened by the alarm of their smoke detector and were able to get to safety. In that moment of escape I wonder if they even thought to take anything with them as they rushed quickly from their burning home.
I'll never forget the first time the following idea was presented to me. When God came to the Israelites in the night and said "Get out!", I think it's absolutely incredible that Miriam and the women even thought to pack tambourines! No doubt they were all travelling light. They couldn't take all their belongings. Only the essentials. This was an item of importance. Tambourines were not only an object of trust, but represented the value of praise. The ladies believed that God would indeed bring deliverance, and now on the other side of the Red Sea, they were ready to dance!
How do we live our lives? Do we anticipate to celebrate or do we live in dread of the next piece of bad news dropping into our laps? Do we fear the outcome of every uncertainty or do we prepare to praise, confident in seeing the right hand of the Lord provide? These women had practiced praise in the past and it became the language of their life.
As Miriam and the ladies played their tambourines and danced, Moses and the people sang, "Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O LORD, smashes the enemy...You raised Your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies." (Exodus 15:6,12) That same powerful, right hand is holding and guiding you today. David the Psalmist writes, "I cling to You; Your strong right hand holds me securely." (Psalm 63:8)
I don't know the "enemy" that is threatening your life today, but God's strong right hand is holding you securely, and He sees this as an opportunity to display His glory. As Moses told the Israelites, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today...The LORD Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." (Exodus 14:13-14)
Join me in praising God! Let your heart fill with expectation of meeting and knowing the Lord in your present situation. Celebrate His presence with you. He might not remove your "Red Sea" but He will walk you through it. Trust Him to do great things with whatever you offer Him in faith. Each painful sacrifice can lead to extravagant celebration!
2 comments:
Amen! Amen! Amen! And sometimes we have the grace to celebrate with exuberance in the midst of the battle. Praise God! 💕
Yes!!! Such a grace when God gives us celebrations in the midst of our battles! A valuable addition to this post. Thanks for commenting.
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