15th February 2023
A thought from George Ford
‘When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds abut them … ‘
‘The Egyptians – all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops - pursued the Israelites and overtook them … ’
‘They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.’
‘Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued them … ‘
‘Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.”’
‘Not one of them survived.’
(Exodus 14:5,9a,10b,21-23a,26,28b)
Reflection
God was mightily releasing His people from their captivity and had been guiding them on their way each day by a pillar of cloud , and each night by a pillar of fire to give them light. When we follow God’s plan and obey His purposes He does not allow us to be completely thwarted. He hears our prayerful cry and responds. Not always immediately or so dramatically as this but always in in loving ways that free from fear, allow us to move forward with Him, and His purpose for our life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father who mightily responded to the frightened cries of the Israelites in their seemingly impossible situation; hear we pray, the cries of those who today are trapped in circumstances which seem impossible to resolve. Especially those in war torn areas, under oppressive regimes, trapped coercive or violent relationships. Strengthen their Spirit dear Lord, and all who seek to help them, that might hear your guidance and to know your deliverance from fear for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Worship
‘You unravel me with a melody, you surround me with a song. Of deliverance from my enemies till or my fears are gone. I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God. I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God. You Split the sea, so I could walk right through it; My fears were drowned in perfect love. You rescued me so I could stand and sing, I am a child of God.’
(Brian Johnson, Joel Case & Jonathan Helser, 2014)
