God’s Renewing Word of Joy
Introduction
Exodus 14:19-31: The LORD divides the waters of the Red Sea; and with walls of water on both sides, the Israelites go through the sea on dry ground. The pursing Egyptian army drowns when the water returns to its normal level.
Scripture Reading
19 The angel of God, who had been in front of the army of Israel, moved and went to the rear. The pillar of cloud also moved until it was 20 between the Egyptians and the Israelites. The cloud made it dark for the Egyptians, but gave light to the people of Israel,[a] and so the armies could not come near each other all night.
21 Moses held out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind. It blew all night and turned the sea into dry land. The water was divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides. 23 The Egyptians pursued them and went after them into the sea with all their horses, chariots, and drivers. 24 Just before dawn the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw them into a panic. 25 He made the wheels of their chariots get stuck, so that they moved with great difficulty. The Egyptians said, “The Lord is fighting for the Israelites against us. Let’s get out of here!”
26 The Lord said to Moses, “Hold out your hand over the sea, and the water will come back over the Egyptians and their chariots and drivers.” 27 So Moses held out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the water returned to its normal level. The Egyptians tried to escape from the water, but the Lord threw them into the sea. 28 The water returned and covered the chariots, the drivers, and all the Egyptian army that had followed the Israelites into the sea; not one of them was left. 29 But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides.
30 On that day the Lord saved the people of Israel from the Egyptians, and the Israelites saw them lying dead on the seashore. 31 When the Israelites saw the great power with which the Lord had defeated the Egyptians, they stood in awe of the Lord; and they had faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
TODAY’S KEY VERSE: Exodus 14:31
When the Israelites saw the great power with which the LORD had defeated the Egyptians, they stood in awe of the LORD, and they had faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
Reflect
How were the Israelites protected during the night (verses 19, 20)? What did the Egyptians say when their chariots got stuck (verse 25)? What happened to the Egyptian army when it followed the Israelites into the sea? What does today’s reading teach you about the power of God? In what ways have you experienced the power of God in your life?
Pray
Sovereign God, mighty is your power and I stand in awe of you. I thank and praise you for your mighty deeds, trusting in your steadfast love and care. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Exodus 15:1-18: The Israelites sing to the LORD.