– Scripture:

             Actually Hearing the Words

Who compares with you among gods, O God? Who compares with you in power, in holy majesty, In awesome praises, wonder-working God?

                    Exodus 15:11 MSG

 – Reflection:

Have you ever loved a song’s rhythm, sound, and beat and then stopped to listen to the lyrics and think…”Huh? I had no idea that is what they were saying!” Sometimes when reading in the Bible, there are stories that we may have heard as children that seemed so happy and cheerful, but reading them now as an adult, I say oh man, I remember that story but “NOT THAT STORY” not in that way. It’s because the story I was told as a child had a great meaning for a child. The full truth of what I need to know as an adult is much darker and stronger than the nursery rhyme I remembered. God has a way of getting you to understand whatever version of himself you know about. Eventually, though, our faith and knowledge about him has to grow just like everything else. We need to continue to honor and respect the power that GOD has, not because of the true power that he has but because of the love that he has for us and our misunderstandings.

Where do we go from here?

One of the important things to highlight and remember in texts like this is the contrast between GOD’s power and might and when humans take matters into their own hands. Again and again, Moses praises God for his mighty acts, for God’s outstretched arm, for God’s parting the waters. In Exodus 15:9-10 MSG, the Egyptians (“The enemies”) spoke about what they were going to do on their own because we know there would be no help from GOD when he had asked for his people to be let go. Don’t make something about yourself that is not, GOD is helping in the matter, and when we take matters into our own hands, it can turn bad very quickly. Continue to honor GOD’s processes and move through life with him, and not against him.

Our Prayer for Today

All praise and glory to you, Father! When we feel overwhelmed, tempted to turn away or take matters into our own hands give us the strength and patience to rest, trusting in you. And in those moments of pause, may we come to see your goodness, grandeur, and glory giving praise to you. Amen.