May 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Exodus 15:1-13:

¹Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
²The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
³The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
⁴Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
⁵The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
⁶Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
⁷And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sent forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
⁸And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
⁹The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
¹⁰Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
¹¹Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
¹²Thou stretched out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
¹³Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Devotional

These words are a part of the song of Moses and the children of Israel which they sang at the Red Sea when they had experi­enced the salvation of the Lord. They had been delivered out of Egypt with a strong hand. But hardly were they free and started on their journey to the land of Canaan, when they found them­selves in such a perilous condition that they gave up in despair— the Red Sea before them and the Egyptians behind them. Moses encourages them: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord .... The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." How simple! — just to stand still and do nothing. How easy for God to deliver his people from the power of their enemies! "Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea cov­ered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters."

Yes, "the Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name." Surely He is mighty to save. O how fearful we become in these trou­blous times! Be still, my soul, and rest in the Lord. "The Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save." "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Prayer

O God, Thou art mighty to deliver. Thou art mightier than the mighty of the earth; mightier than Satan and all his hosts. Help us to put our trust in Thee, and to rejoice in Thy salvation. Enable us to say with the psalmist: The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust. And with the prophet of old: Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jeho­vah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Praise be to his name. Amen.

---

Scripture in Devotional: Ex. 14:13, 14; 15:10; 15:3; Isa. 63:1; 59:1; 2 Tim. 4:18.

Click here for background on Light and Comfort and the author.