August 1, 2026
Saturday, August 1
The Red Sea story shows us that our deliverance through Christ is free and complete. But that’s not all. It also reminds us that our deliverance is ongoing. Chapter 14 isn’t the end of the Exodus story. The very next chapter is a song that Moses taught the Israelites to remind them of the Red Sea miracles. V. 2-3 say,
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.
He taught them this song so they would know in the future, whenever they got in a bind, that God is a mighty warrior who fights for His people.
Later in the song, it gets more specific:
The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
Word of their deliverance had already spread to other nations, and those people were starting to fear Israel’s God. He specifically names countries they will have to face on their way to the Promised Land. Israel’s salvation is free and it’s complete, but it isn’t done yet. There’s more yet to gain, more to explore and experience. From a Christian standpoint, He’s talking about the abundant life that Jesus promises for all those who live for Him.
As Christians, most of us know this from an intellectual standpoint. But we don’t live it out. There’s an old joke about two Irishmen, Pat and Mike, who were lost at sea in a little rowboat. In desperation, Pat began to pray out loud, “Lord, if you save me neck, I promise never to tough another drop o’ liquor. I’ll never cuss, and I’ll never fight, and I’ll be in church every Sunday…” Suddenly Mike interrupted him, “Don’t commit yerself, Paddy-boy, I see a ship on the horizon!” That’s the way a lot of Christians live. They try to make deals with God. “I will go to church and pray and avoid certain vices, but I expect you to keep my kids safe and bless my bank account and give me a sound body and a happy marriage.”
But when we live by the Gospel, we walk in grace. We know that any difficulty that comes our way, He’s big enough to handle it. We don’t try to manipulate Him; we serve Him because we’ve discovered it’s far more enjoyable than living for ourselves. Is that the way you live? Do you live like someone who is truly free? Or are you living in fear, selfishness, or greed, and trying to use God to bless that?
Think of what your Deliverer has done for you. He has given His life to make you truly free. He has defeated and deleted everything that was against you. He has given you a brand-new life. And He has removed anything that stands in the way of you experiencing a fulfilling, personal, ongoing walk with Him that leads to life, joy and purpose.
We don’t know what Moses’ song sounded like. But here’s a new song about our deliverance that is so incredibly joyful, it’s infectious: Washed.
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
