Yesterday we reflected on the pharaoh of Egypt who spoke proudly and defiantly against the Lord. That set up a dramatic showdown. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) is the King of creation, the Lord of the whole universe. He told Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” But Pharaoh refused.

The Lord God gave Pharaoh many opportunities to acknowledge the Lord’s kingship. But Pharaoh kept ignoring God. After a series of ten plagues, Pharaoh did let the people go—but then he roused his army to go and recapture the Israelites as they traveled away toward the Red Sea.

But Pharaoh’s forces were overwhelmed and swallowed up by the Red Sea. The victory of the Lord was complete and definitive. This is what finally awaits anyone who resists the true Lord of lords and King of kings.

In Exodus 15 the Israelites sing their victory song: God’s victory is their victory. They look back with joy, they look forward with hope, and they look up in triumph because “the Lord reigns for ever and ever”!

In Christ Jesus, the Lord has won the decisive victory over the powers of sin, death, and hell. By faith, his victory becomes our victory, our joy, our hope, and our triumph.