Read: Exodus 13:17-15:18; Matthew 21:23-46; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 6:16-19
Both of the passages we read today are about those who challenge the authority of the Lord. God always wins but it takes faith on our part because sometimes God leads us to face the enemy. It may look like suicide but it is to show the power of God.
Moses took Joseph’s bones with him into the promised land so that Joseph could sleep with his forefathers and family. The Lord led the people back to the sea where they were hemmed in by the sea. The people panicked when the Egyptians came after them…like God said they would… and God rebuked Moses. He told him that now was not the time to pray but to act. He was to stretch forth his rod over the sea. I’m sure that Moses had never even entertained the thought of going through the sea. Sometimes God’s deliverance is so far from our imagination we could never come up with it on our own. There are times when we just need to stand back and see the salvation God has prepared for us. He is the mighty God of deliverance. God parted the sea and they walked across the Red Sea with only a cloud between them and the Egyptian army. On one side of the cloud it was light and on the other side there was darkness. This cloud stands for God’s dividing line. If we are in him, we walk in the light even if it is night. If we are not in him we walk in darkness even during the day.
In the morning, the cloud lifted and the Egyptians could see to follow them into the sea. Then God confused their chariots and horses and they lost wheels and got sunk in the mud. It became obvious to them that they were fighting God himself and that God was on the Israelite’s side. I pray that that will happen this Friday for all who are opposing what God is doing in our country. I pray confusion in their camp so that they will recognize that they are fighting God. (I realize I write this two weeks before it happens so by the time you read this it will be past. I just need to write it.)
We have the same pillar of cloud that protects us from the darkness and we have the same fire that lights up our darkness. That is what the Holy Spirit is in our lives. He is the cloud of protection and the fire of light that shines in our darkest nights.
Jesus had his authority challenged by the chief priests and elders but Jesus refused to answer them since they hadn’t received the prophets and messengers he had sent before him. If they wouldn’t receive them, then they wouldn’t receive Him. He was the cornerstone that they had rejected.
Lord, our feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly we will praise you. May you be glorified on the earth!
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