Time to sing and dance!

So I’m back after a weekend off – thanks Andy! One important bit we missed before we move on….

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.  Exodus 13:21-22

I wish God’s guidance and will were always so straightforward in our lives. Sometimes it feels more like this –

‘Sometimes the only choices you have are bad ones. But you still have to choose.’ The Doctor

Although caught between the advancing Egyptians and the massive expanse of the Red Sea, this quote would have worked equally as well if God had not got a plan!

When God parts the Red Sea and saves the Israelites from the Egyptians, it is as God predicted back in Exodus 6 –

Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.  Exodus 6:7

Now God has delivered on his promise. Now God has done what He said He would (if you need reminding, have a look at ‘Then you will know that I am God’). Now the Israelites trust God and are in awe of Him –

And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.  Exodus 14:31

May we see the mighty hand of God at work in our lives and the lives of the people around us and so know that God is God – awesome and faithful to the end.

So then it’s time to party! Come on and celebrate! It’s a very special day. Moses and the Israelites sing to the Lord. Moses’ sister Miriam and all the women take up their tambourines and dance. This is the first mention of singing and dancing in the Bible. How important music and dance have become in our lives today to express our joy and happiness!  You really can’t beat a good sing or dance to bring a smile to your face and a lightness to your heart. Music should be prescribed by the doctor!

They’re singing about what God has done in their lives. How often do we do that? We need to be sharing everyday stories of what God is doing in our lives with joy and enthusiasm. If we know God is God – awesome and faithful to the end – then joy and enthusiasm should come naturally…..and if they do, go for it!

The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.  Exodus 15:2

This reminds me of a song – a Psalm actually – ‘Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise’ – time for a sing and a dance in the kitchen maybe!

And Lord, we want to thank you for the works you’ve done in our lives….

Just two more points for today. Firstly –

Who among the gods
    is like you, Lord?
Who is like you—
    majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
    working wonders?  Exodus 15:11

This was a big thing back in the day. There were hundreds of gods – gods to fear and appease and get on your side so that the harvests would not fail and natural disasters would be averted and you and your family could live safely and happily…..

and now the Israelites are beginning to realise how different this God is…the one true God….no other god comes even close. This is big, big news!

Secondly –

In your unfailing love you will lead
    the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
    to your holy dwelling.  Exodus 15:13

Unfailing love, how appealing does that sound? All of us have experienced a love that fails – some of us many, many times – a love that gives up on us or cheats on us; a love that makes us feel worthless and not good enough; a love that is conditional and disappointed in us; a love that is unpredictable……….  Some of us may be fortunate enough to have some experience of unfailing love – from a partner, a parent or a child – but everyone is human and no one is perfect.

Except God. God is love. God has set the bar. God ‘s love for each one of is unfailing. Again, this is big, big news!

So come and join the celebration today! It’s a very special day. At some point today, may you experience the unfailing love of God leading you and guiding you………….