January 25, 2025 - Exodus 14-15

“Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.  For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’  And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord”  (14:2-4).  “So [Pharaoh] made ready his chariot and took his army with him” (14:6).  Boy, was he in for a surprise!  We know the details of the crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction Pharaoh and his armies.  Let’s focus, this morning, on the response of Moses and the people upon their deliverance:  “Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, ‘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; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him” (15:1-2).  It strikes me that, though God has blessed us in so many ways – Just this morning, I found myself reflecting on his many blessings. – how often we failed to say “Thank you!”  Moses and the people sang to God and gave thanks.  Should we do any less?

Stand up and bless the Lord,

ye people of His choice;

stand up and bless the Lord your God

with heart and soul and voice.

God is our strength and song,

and His salvation ours;

then be His love in Christ proclaimed

with all our ransomed pow'rs.

Stand up and bless the Lord;

the Lord your God adore;

stand up and bless His glorious name

henceforth and evermore.   --James Montgomery (1824)