Good Morning!
Greetings in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. (Psalm 46:1-4)
God divided the Red Sea and opened up dry ground in the middle of the sea with the walls of water standing on each side. The people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea.
Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. But just before dawn the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. Their advance was severely delayed till the Israelites reached the other side of the Red Sea.
When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the LORD said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea. Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.
That is how the LORD rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses.Then Moses and the people of Israel sang to the LORD. Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced.
Yes, the Israelites witnessed God, who brought them out with His miraculous deeds even killing all first born Egyptian sons including the Pharaoh’s first born son. They soon forgot His many mighty acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against God at the Red Sea. Even so, God saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power and faithfulness to His people. The Israelites saw the God’s power and His saving grace and love on them. They were standing on the shore safely, but the formidable Egyptian army chasing to kill them was no more. God’s mighty hand completely destroyed them. The water stood making two walls that gave a safe passage for the Israel people to walk through quickly returned to its place, which made the entire Egyptian army literally buried under the two massive walls of the water. On the shore, Moses and the people of Israel sang:
“I will sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.
“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.
The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
shattered the enemy.
“You stretch out your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.
In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
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.
“The Lord reigns
for ever and ever.”
(Exodus 15:1- 6, 12-13, 17-18)
Yes, God is our strength and refuge in times of needs. God, who is merciful and full of love, is always with us not because we are always righteous before God or continuously faithful to God. God is love, and He is faithful to His children. Amen!
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
He is greatly exalted.
(Psalm 47:6, 9b)