Imagine seeing the Red Sea waters divided, opening a way for you and two million others to walk through on dry ground. You step down into the sea bottom with those walls of water towering above. Could they at any moment come crashing down?At last you reach the far side, only to look back and see that the Egyptians have followed. Suddenly you watch those walls of water collapse; you witness an entire army drowning in the sea. In only a few hours, you've experienced the highest degree of fear, apprehension, dismay, excitement, and overwhelming relief.
However, the Israelites experienced something more than relief and elations following the climax of that day's events: "And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LOD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant." (Exodus 14:31)
The people feared the Lord. Obviously this wasn't the same fear or dread they felt upon seeing the fast-approaching Egyptian army. Rather, it was the revenerntial awe produced by the awesome display of God's might. While they rejoiced that this power had been exercised on their behalf, they could not escape the sober realization that this God was not only an almighty deliverer, but also a righteous judge of those who opposed Him. As a friend of mine put it, they realized that God plays for keeps.
The text says that the Israelites both feared the Lord and put their trust in Him. Fearing God and trusting Him are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the Israelites were able to trust God because they experienced first hand His awesome power to deliver them. It was not just the display of raw power -- the Egyptians also saw that -- but the eercise of it in their behalf that caused the Hebrews to trust God. Power without love is terrifying. Love without power is pitiable. In God, the Jews saw both working together.
O mighty God, my loving Father, I praise and thank You for acting so strongly on my behalf both to save me and to transform me.
This I know: "that God is for me" and since You are for me, who can be against me?" Therefore, "in God I trust; I will not be afraid." (Romans 8:31; Psalm 56:9-11)
You have commanded me to trust You with all my heart and to lean not on my own understanding. You have promised that "in quietness and trust" is my strength, and that You will keep me in perfect peace as I steadfastly trust in You. (Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 30:15; 26:3)
So, I bring to You my faith. "In you I trust, O my God," "I trust in you, O LOD; I say, "You are my God'" "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." (Psalm 25:2; 31:14; 91:2)
O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." I praise and thank You for those words of promise, for by Your grace, I believe that this very blessing shall also be mine." (Psalm 84:12) I exalt You, O GOD, by Jerry Bridges
Lord, I read the above and also am awe-struck as I think back over my life, especially all during that time I was away from your loving arms - although under your protection. Even though I didn't care, even though I didn't ask, even though I didn't deserve, you protected me from so many evils that were lying in wait for me. You protected me all those years. And, more recently, in the past 8-10 years you have almost totally transformed me. You gifted me with a beautiful daughter, you blessed me with a most loving, devoted husband, you directed me to wonderful jobs, every step of the way has been gifts and blessing from you. As it says above in the reflection/meditation, "while they rejoiced that this power had been exercised in their behalf, they could not escape the sober realization that this God was not only an almighty deliverer, but also a righteous judge of those who opposed Him." Tonight, I'm awe-struck. Why Lord? What plan have you for me? Lord, guide me now, continue to transform me so that I can in time be even marginally worthy of all that you have bestowed upon me. I praise You Jesus; I love You Jesus; I adore You Jesus - Amen
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