What is the most spectacular thing you have ever seen God do? Take a moment and remember. What emotions overwhelmed you? How did you respond to God?
Moses was in such a place in Exodus 15. God had once again intervened on behalf of the Israelites in spectacular fashion. After being led out of Egypt with huge displays of God’s power, the Israelites found themselves stuck between a rock a hard place. The Egyptians, facing the reality of a world without their Hebrew slaves, pursued the Israelites trapping them against the Red Sea with no way to escape. However, God provided a way when all hope seemed lost and led his people across the sea on dry ground. And when the last Israelite was safely on the other side, he sent the water crashing back down swamping the Egyptian army. The people of Israel were safe once again.
Moses was overcome with awe and wonder at this act of deliverance, and he responded with a song praising the God who delivered them. Let’s take a look at part of this song in Exodus 15.
“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord- glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? You raised your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies. With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”
-Exodus 15:11-13
I love this picture of God leading and guiding his people, the people he has redeemed and the people he loves. And I am struck by where he leads them- to his sacred home.
We are but sojourners or pilgrims here in this world. For as the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come” (Hebrews 13:14). As we continue to put one foot in front of the other here in this world, we should be filled with hope for the new heaven and new earth where we will rest and experience the fullness of the new creation in God’s sacred home.
What a reassuring and beautiful picture for this season overcome with anger, violence, disease, and general tumult in nearly every direction we look. Today as we begin a new week and as we worship, may we remember to look to the One who guides us with his never ending, extravagant love, and may we overflow with hope for our sacred home that is yet to come.
