Another Song of Triumph – Unheard People Sing

Another Song of Triumph – Unheard People Sing

Exodus 15: ¹⁹ For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

The Song of Miriam

²⁰ Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ²¹ And Miriam answered them:

“Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!”

 

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After Moses sang, Miriam got up and sang a short song.

 

My Observations:

• The women possibly were not singing but wanted to sing.
• Miriam may have noticed the women were not singing, so she got her tambourine out and sang a short song.
• Miriam gave the reason why everyone should sing, namely they were rescued by the LORD.

 

GOD used Miriam as a leader. She is called a prophetess. Very few women in the Bible were called this title, so it shows she had a special anointing by GOD as a leader. Miriam seemed to be gifted to help out where there was a gap in the execution of a plan.

 

Jochebed, Miriam’s mother, made an ark to save Moses, Miriam's’ brother. Miriam watched over Moses and made sure he stayed safe. Miriam jumped into action again by seeing the women and making them join in on the celebration of GOD’s triumph. Her song may seem simple, but it symbolizes a leader who sees those who are unheard. GOD was praised by everyone.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Miriam’s song?
• Have you ever seen someone who wanted to join in, but were afraid to?
• Can you take a moment to help those who are unheard by guiding them in praise to the LORD?

Song of Triumph Part 4 – GOD has Won the Next Battle

Song of Triumph Part 4 – GOD has Won the Next Battle

Exodus 15 ¹⁴ “The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
¹⁵ Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
¹⁶ Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O Lord,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.
¹⁷ You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O Lord, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

¹⁸ “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”

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Moses ends the song with encouragement that GOD is more powerful than the enemies the children of Israel will face.

 

My Observations:

• Even though GOD wiped out the Egyptians, the children of Israel knew there were other groups who were similar to their recent defeated enemy.
• Moses mentioned that GOD’s demonstration of power would put fear in all the surrounding enemies.
• Moses sung about GOD “purchasing” the people as a reference to what JESUS would do to redeem humanity.

 

As the promised land was to the children of Israel, heaven is to you and me. The mountain of GOD’s inheritance could represent HIS eternal rewards for those who cling to their faith and persevere through tribulation.

 

GOD inspired Moses to sing about facing the immediate near future opposition from all sides. The promised land was heavily guarded and was supernatural. It produced fruit larger and more plentiful than anywhere else. Very strong people found this treasure on earth and would fight anyone who wanted to take the land. GOD had already defeated this enemy before the battle began. HE shall reign forever and ever. amen

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about other enemies of the children of Israel?
• Have you ever faced victory and then immediately faced fear because of the existence of other enemies?
• Are you replaying fear of the future in your mind, or remembering GOD’s powerful performance?

Song of Triumph Part 2 - Easy for GOD

 

Song of Triumph Part 2 - Easy for GOD

Exodus 15: ⁶ “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
⁷ And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble.
⁸ And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
⁹ The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’
¹⁰ You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

 

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Moses continues to lead the children of Israel in song after they saw the Egyptians defeated by GOD. This stanza seems to pay tribute to how easy it was for GOD to take down the Egyptians.

 

My Observations:

• Moses used many human attributes like “right hand,” “nostrils,” and “heart” to invoke human understanding and excitement.
• Moses remembered how stubborn and cruel the Egyptians were and placed their futile attempts of being gods in the song.
• Moses points out how easy it was for GOD to overthrow the Egyptians.

 

Scripture uses the “right hand” as a statement of true, right and just. I believe Moses was speaking about GOD’s power and sovereignty. Would you blow up a balloon with your nose? No. Moses may have simply been excited and used the weakest form of wind a human can produce to show how strong GOD is.

 

The “heart” of things is usually the center, but in humans, it represents the connection to GOD. The enemy is anything or anyone who opposes GOD. In this case the Egyptians were going against a promise GOD made when HE said HE would make Abraham a great nation. By trying to be the nation above GOD’s decree, they became HIS enemy. Their “hearts” became hardened by their belief that they could be above GOD. It was easy for GOD to wipe them out, according to the song.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the song he sang regarding the greatness of GOD?
• Have you ever praised GOD for HIS might and HIS timing?
• Will you praise GOD even if your expectations are being met in a different way then you expect?

Triumphant

 

Triumphant

James 2:  ¹⁰ Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. ¹¹ For the same one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Even if you do not commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker if you commit murder. ¹² Speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that sets us free. ¹³ For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.

 

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Hearing what someone else did made me feel pretty good about myself. “I don’t drink and I don’t do drugs and I don’t kill people” were my measures of success. But on my way to work I cut people off in traffic, was short with people at work and joined in on the jokes about body parts.

 

• I tried to justify my sin by comparing what I did to other people.
• I came up with my own conclusion that I was “better” than most people, so I deserved better treatment from GOD.
• I also factored in that I had stopped doing certain sins so GOD should treat me better than those who are still stuck in the stuff “I” used to do.

 

James addressed the sin of comparison. He mentions adultery and murder as two extreme sins to compare. People may have justified adultery, comparing it to murder, thinking it wasn’t as bad as murder. He then gives the right heart each person should have, namely be merciful.

 

My Observations:

• My insecurities make me compare myself to other people so I can feel good about myself.
• Overlooking my own guilt makes me judge other people.
• GOD sets me free from sin through JESUS and wants me to be merciful versus judgmental.

 

Breaking a single Law makes me guilty of breaking the whole Law of GOD. While this seems extremely harsh, it shows me GOD’s standard which is without sin and full of pure love. HE saw that I would struggle with sin because I was born with a tendency to sin. I could never be “good” enough to meet HIS standard of being sinless, so JESUS made a way to remove my guilt.

 

HE not only save me, but wants others saved as well. HE knows the sins of “that” person and forgives him or her, just like HE forgave me. HE wants me to look at my own sins and to not use comparison to justify being judgey. I am glad JESUS makes me triumphant when I show mercy, even in its tiniest degree.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about being guilty?
• Have you ever tried to compare your sin to other people?
• Have you ever talked bad about other people?
• Will you seek mercy by asking GOD to clean your heart so you can be more and more merciful towards all people today?

Is the obstacle a test?

Judges 3 These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan² (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience):

³ the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. ⁴ They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses.

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“Why am I not getting promoted?” ran through my mind on my second and a half job out of college.  It seemed like I would get hired, but not elevated.  “What’s the problem?” I asked someone.  They gave me some tips that I followed to the letter, still no promotion. In fact many people gave me tips here and there and nothing happened.

Finally I met a few mentors who taught me how to face obstacles with resiliency. I got promoted.

• When I want things to come to me easy I have a wrong expectation.
• When I give up too early because it is too hard I have a wrong expectation.
• When I want to sit back and let the plan work itself out I have a wrong expectation.

Obstacles seem to pop up at the worst time and I used to think the Devil was the cause of problems and GOD was in charge of solutions, but I left one person out of the equation, me.

• GOD sometimes wants me to grow so HE places obstacles in my way that I can handle.
• GOD allows me to face the consequences of my sin here on earth so I won’t have to face eternal consequences.
• GOD uses obstacles to get my attention when I have forgotten about HIM or when I think I can survive on my own.

There is a way that seems right to me, but the way of the LORD is far above my thinking. Instead of running away from the obstacle, I must face it no matter how large it may seem because GOD has a plan for it.

• Are you facing obstacles?
• Do you think GOD has left you on your own?
• Can you stop sulking about the obstacle for a moment and look to GOD’s power?
• Won’t you recognize where your talent and abilities come from and thank GOD for the gifts HE has given you?

Triumphant

Revelation 12: ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

¹¹ They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

¹² Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

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• Just when I think I’m losing GOD says HE already won.
• Just when I thought everything is lost GOD said HE already won.
• Just when I was about to give up GOD said HE already won.

GOD revealed exactly what happened to the accuser. GOD used HIS might to ban the accuser and reserved a place for me. HIS love has already conquered every sin I have committed and all who believe in HIS SON!

From tragedy to triumphant

Galatians 6: ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

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Disturbed by another heinous act of violence I ran through many emotions and thoughts this morning. “Why did another shooter take so many lives?” was the first thought on my mind. Then I immediately tried to figure out who to blame. What a tragedy! Can’t we ever just live peaceful lives?

• When I think other people will bring me peace I am highly mistaken.
• When I blame others for stealing my peace I am highly mistaken.
• When I believe circumstances are too bleak to ever have peace I am highly mistaken.

There are many tragic situations that happen on a daily basis. In fact it seems more like they are happening each hour! BUT GOD doesn’t want me to be shaken by tragedy rather focus on triumph!

• When I encourage someone I overcome tragedy.
• When I choose to praise GOD instead of venting frustration I overcome tragedy.
• When I place blame in the grave and uphold the ways of the SPIRIT I overcome tragedy.

I could point to others and say “look at this sick society” or I can say “how can I lift someone up today?” I believe it’s obvious which one GOD wants me to do. GOD wants me to exclaim the GREAT NEWS about HIS SON who went through tragedy and became triumphant.  

• Are you feeling defeated?
• Do you blame others for your situation?
• Do you blame others for the direction the nation or the world is headed?
• Can you take today’s tragedy and become triumphant?
• Won’t you encourage someone today and defeat tragedy?

I want hope

Romans 15: ⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

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Towards the end of a track meet I wanted to give up. I was tired of running. Towards the end of school I wanted to give up.  It seemed like I had been in school forever and I was tired of learning. Towards the end of a major project I wanted to give up and just crawl into some hole and watch the world pass by for a while.

• Life will have difficult moments that I must endure.
• Life will have tough situations that I must go “through” not around.
• Life will have extreme circumstances that sometimes make me want to “give up.”

Every once in a while I survey the horizon of my life and see holes, land mines and snipers in my way. Where did all these obstacles come from?  I mean at one point in my life it was smooth sailing. GOD knows I will face challenges and HE has made provisions for my safety.

• GOD knows I will face difficult circumstances so HE sent the COMFORTER to help me.
• GOD knows I will face trials and I will want to give up so HE gave me HIS promise that HE would be with me always.

There is not a single problem that GOD is not aware of.  HE knows every circumstance and has listed similar circumstances in the Bible. When I go back and see how other people felt like giving up and how GOD rescued them at the right time, it gives me hope.

I see the extreme situations people endured and it makes my circumstance seem smaller. GOD brought them through and HE will do the same for me. HIS promises give me hope.

• Are you going through a trial?
• Are you facing a difficult circumstance?
• Do you realize there is nothing more powerful than GOD and HE knows your circumstance?
• Will you place your trust in HIM?

Your problem is finished!

John 19: ²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

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Tears flowed from my eyes, I could hardly drive. I had to make it because my kids were in the car and there was no other driver. Another sharp pain shot through my head which seemed like a bolt of lightning striking my face. After making it home I made a futile attempt at relief from some over the counter medications. My tooth was definitely infected!

• When I am going through problems, I can’t seem to see anything outside of the problem.
• When I am going through problems, I want relief NOW!
• When I am going through problems, I try to fix them and I am not always successful.

My toothache required a dentist and my problems in life require GOD. My worries and distress are like the shooting pains of a toothache. I can’t seem to get my mind off of them. GOD has a plan for my worries.

• When JESUS said “It is finished” HE meant HE had fulfilled every requirement it would take to become perfection.
• When JESUS said “It is finished” HE meant HE had taken care of all of my mistakes, issues and problems.
• When JESUS said “It is finished” HE meant He was and is worthy of planning great things in my life and no “one” or no “thing” can stand in HIS way.

HE knows every problem, every pain. HE knows every doubt, every fear. HE reaches the depths of my soul and sees something great in me that no one else can see. When HE says “it is finished” I can believe it!

• What are you going through?
• Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
• Can you take a moment in the middle of your pain to praise GOD for taking care of your situation even before it’s done?
• What greatness is GOD preparing you for?

Even the blind can "see" something good!

John 12:12The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" 14Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
15"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

16At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

17Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

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Looking back on my life I can recognize that I am a blind man feeling my way through life. When I say blind, I mean spiritually blind. I think this is why I crave to have order and control in my life because I am spiritually blind.

While I am blind, I can "see" times in my life that GOD has brought me through troubles. I remember doctors saying that a relative had holes in their back before birth indicating some sort of disease. After a lot of prayer, the baby was born healthy.

I remember relatives being diagnosed with cancer. Thirty five years later, they are still here spreading the gospel. GOD has worked many miracles in my life that people often write off as coincidences or they give me credit for my "business acumen." But I know that it was GOD who worked in my life every step of the way.

• GOD is in control of every situation.
• GOD has already defeated the enemy.
• GOD will never leave you alone.
• GOD can do anything just by speaking.

The blind Jews of that day recognized the true KING. The saw HIM raise a human from the dead! JESUS made sure all humans would give HIM credit so HE waited for the corpse to begin to decompose and rot.

HE reversed the rotting process, put fresh blood in his body and restored his memory. Everyone who saw this rejoiced! They couldn't hold it in. They shouted in the streets, ran around town and told everyone that the Savior of the world is here!

JESUS made HIS "Triumphant Entry" into Jerusalem as predicted by the scriptures. This would be HIS last week on earth as a human. HE knew that HIS ultimate task was upon HIM. The blind Jews didn't know what was coming. They rejoiced and celebrated because a magical earthly king was setting up a kingdom, or at least they thought HE would.

I realize that I am blind, therefore I can see. I know I am deaf, therefore I can hear. I know I am a sinner needing salvation therefore I hold eternal life through JESUS.

• Can you "see?"
• Can you "hear?"
• What is GOD showing you about yourself?
• What is GOD telling you to do?
• If your plan is GOD's plan then why do you think the plan will fail?