My strength and my song ...

Exodus 15
A SONG OF DELIVERANCE

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD:

"I will sing to the LORD,
for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him—
my father's God, and I will exalt him!
The LORD is a warrior;
Yahweh* is his name!
Pharaoh's chariots and army
he has hurled into the sea.
The finest of Pharaoh's officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.*
The deep waters gushed over them;
they sank to the bottom like a stone.

"Your right hand, O LORD,
is glorious in power.
Your right hand, O LORD,
smashes the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty,
you overthrow those who rise against you.
You unleash your blazing fury;
it consumes them like straw.
At the blast of your breath,
the waters piled up!
The surging waters stood straight like a wall;
in the heart of the sea the deep waters became hard.

"The enemy boasted, 'I will chase them
and catch up with them.
I will plunder them
and consume them.
I will flash my sword;
my powerful hand will destroy them.'
But you blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.

"Who is like you among the gods, O LORD—
glorious in holiness,
awesome in splendor,
performing great wonders?
You raised your right hand,
and the earth swallowed our enemies.

"With your unfailing love you lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your might, you guide them
to your sacred home.
The peoples hear and tremble;
anguish grips those who live in Philistia.
The leaders of Edom are terrified;
the nobles of Moab tremble.
All who live in Canaan melt away;
terror and dread fall upon them.
The power of your arm
makes them lifeless as stone
until your people pass by, O LORD,
until the people you purchased pass by.
You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain—
the place, O LORD, reserved for your own dwelling,
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.
The LORD will reign forever and ever!"

What would your song be? How would you worship if you just saw locusts, frogs, darkness, blood, and your slave master's son die? If you just saw a huge pillar of fire keeping the Egyptians away from your children, how would you worship? If you just walked through a sea with starfish, and dead fish all around you, how would you worship? If you just saw a couple of dolphins swim by your very own water wall as you are holding your son's hand and walking, how would you worship?

The Israelites just had so many amazing things happen to them. This is how a couple of them worshiped. They made a song up with lyrics. They praised God for so many things. Sometimes all God is really wanting from his children is devotion. He wants to know that they are giving it their all. The Israelites were so excited to be leaving Egypt. God helped them through that situation. They worshiped.

How are you worshiping right now? Today was amazing. Our time of song and prayer and just being together was amazing. Being in the presence of God changes everything. Make a list of all of the things that keep you from living fully for Christ. Now make a list of all of the things that God has done in your life lately. Could you sing a song about it? Are you allowing God to deliver you?
God is longing to be in relationship with you. He is calling you right now to a life-long style of worship. Read this Psalm over again to yourself, and think of yourself as one of the Israelites on this journey. God revealed himself to them? How are you seeing God today? Worship is one of the main ways to truly fill our cups. Whether it is corporate, or individual, God is changing lives as you read this. Are you one of them?

Jason

Thirst on the edge of survival

The original "As the Deer . . ." is a great psalm:

As the deer pants for ravines of water,
So my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, the living God;
When will I come and appear before you, O God?
My tears are my bread, day and night,
They say to me all day, "Where is your God?"
This I remember and I pour out my soul:
For I led the throng in procession
to the house of God,
With a voice ringing with joy and thanksgiving
in the tumult of the crowd.
Why are you downcast, O my soul,
and why do you mutter within me?
Hope in God, for still I will give thanks to him,
my salvation, my God.

(Ps 42.1-6 RB)

Sometimes we have the feeling that the song presents a serene, silvan setting in which this strong, noble stag pauses in his frolic to consider his thirst during the early morning hours. Instead, the psalmist presents a picture of an animal, haggard from a lengthy chase, longing for a sip of water even from a shallow puddle in the midst of the rocks, left over from the last rain. The heart of the deer is about to burst from deep within its chest. The thirst is overwhelming, and the fear is tangible. The confidence and power of this once-noble animal have been poured out.

Only God can fill this thirst.
Only God can calm this heart.
Only God can deliver his creation from its enemies.
God alone is its shelter.
God alone is salvation.

Let him be our Rock;
Let him be our living water;
May the steadfast love of the Lord
never cease to sustain us.

Trust in his grace,
find comfort in his peace.

Ron