Day 33: Exodus 13-15

Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2013-15&version=NIV

This passage in Exodus shows how God accomplished what he set out to do. After the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites break out in a song full of praise and hope. In Ex 12:12, God revealed through Moses that He was about to “bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt”. Now, after the exodus, Israel proclaims in song, “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?” (Ex 15:11). They have seen that the gods of Egypt are nothing. They have seen that God is Lord over life and death, provider of all things, giver of mercy, protector of His people, but full of wrath toward those who come against Him. Also, in Ex 6:7, God said that Israel would know that He was the Lord their God, who brought them out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. Now, after the exodus, the Israelites sang, “He is my God, and I will praise him” (Ex 15:2). The Israelites have definitely taken a turn in their faith. They now have seen God fight their battle for them just as Moses said He would (Ex 14:14). Notice, however that although God fought their battle for them, they had to do their part. They must have been terrified crossing that body of water as the wind blew a path for them. They had to step out in obedient faith in order for God to rescue them.

In Ex 15:13 the song turned from thanks for shattering the enemy (15:6) to hope in the future - "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” The exodus became a symbol and source of hope for Israel’s future deliverance. We too, can look forward to redemption and deliverance from this world of sin through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Later, in Ex 15:22, we saw another change. When things were good, the Israelites were quick to praise the name of the Lord, but after going three days without finding water, they were back to grumbling again. It’s interesting that they had just praised God for his mighty manipulation of the waters in the Red Sea, but shortly after they did not trust Him to provide water to drink. They looked to Moses to provide for them, failing to cry out to God for their provisions. This is a trap we often fall into as well. We fail to apply our faith in our daily walk. We say we trust Him, but then when it comes time to show it, we turn to man instead of God. God took this opportunity with the Israelites as a teachable moment. After He made the water sweet and drinkable, the Lord said to the Israelites, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." (Ex 15:26). God is asking them to trust Him. He wants them to be obedient and to come to know Him through the trials in Egypt and in the wilderness. We, too, can grow in our knowledge of God’s character and come to know him more fully through his leadership during our struggles in the wilderness. Having experienced His faithfulness during our times of wilderness, we can hope in the future fulfillment of His promises.

Romans 5:2-5 says “…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us”. Just like the muscles in our body, we must exercise our faith in order for it to grow and it is during times of wilderness that we our faith is exercised. As we see with the Israelites, building a great faith is a process. It doesn’t just happen over night. As we move in and out of the paradise and wilderness periods of life, our faith grows as we watch God’s mighty hand at work. He brings us out of slavery, shatters the enemy, and provides for our needs. Through it all, He asks that we trust Him through our obedience. As we see in the book of Moses, huge blessings follow faith and obedience.

Are you in a wilderness period of life right now? Ask that God open your eyes to His presence. Cry out to Him for help instead of looking for help in worldly leaders. Pray that he will grow your faith and use this struggle as a teachable moment in your life, drawing you closer to Him.

Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe