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February 3rd

Our Bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 13,14,15.

“Moses said to the people. “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt...” 13:3

This was more than a request for Israel’s people to pay tribute to the God who saved them from Egyptian enslavement.

This was more than just giving God a place on the Jewish calendar. Surely such a salvation would call the people of Israel to make much of God. And celebrating God was good.

But when God had Moses to tell the people to “Remember this day”...He was saying...”Don't Forget IT”...use the remembrance of what happened on this day to strengthen you and your family’s faith ...

....and to help you meet and overcome the challenges that you most certainly will face on your journey from here.

Anything come to mind? Communion?...partaking of the Lord’s Supper? Yes...”

“Do this in remembrance of me...Jesus told His disciples...when you eat the bread and drink the cup, you show the value of my death until I come again.”

How valuable a death? Our eternal life, that’s all...”We remember Lord...and we don't want to forget You and the great salvation You bought for us at the cross.

Continuing in today’s text...

“When Pharoah let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, (even though that was the shortest route to the promised land )...God led them by way of the “wilderness” “on the way to the Red Sea.”” 13:17,18

God did not choose the shortest route to Canaan...He chose a longer way...He chose the wilderness way...instead of the Philistine way.

Why?

We read that perhaps the history associated with barbaric Philistia might have struck fear in Israel’s heart and they would have been tempted to turn back to Egypt.

I believe God was teaching His people lessons the whole way. I believe God was saying “My way is not always what you might expect.” I believe God was saying “You don't have to figure me out...just stay with me..I'm good at leading my people.”

Listen to the following...

“And Israel moved to the edge of the wilderness, and the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud in order to show them the way....and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light.”

God was saying with the cloud and the fire...” Trust me...stay with me...I Am the Way!” (Exactly what Jesus said 1400 years later to the twelve.)

Continuing in today’s reading...

“Pharoah and his special forces followed the Israelites and caught up with them at the Red Sea...the Israelites cried to God and cursed Moses for bringing them to this place to be murdered by Pharoah.”

“Moses told the people that God would fight for them....they must only be quiet...And God told Moses...” stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it...I will get glory over Pharoah...and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” 14:14,16,17,18

God acts again on behalf of His people...even a people who doubted Him...a people who doubted that He would fulfill His promise to get them to the promised land.

What God does that for His servants?...for those who have nothing to benefit Him?

What God pours out His life of mercy and grace upon those who do not appreciate Him?

What God does that?

Our God...!!!

The Great “I Am all you will ever need” God...

Jesus Christ...who went on to take the “exodus deliverance” to the ultimate deliverance...saving all who believe Him, Jew and Gentile...not by way of the “Red Sea”, but by way of the “blood-red Cross.”

Enjoy the rest of the story friends