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Be Ready to Take Up Your Tambourine
Selections from Exodus 14

       Let me share some helpful background from Exodus 14.  God’s people had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years.  It took God sending 10 plagues to Egypt before the pharaoh finally decided to let God’s people go, all 3 million of them.  Soon after they left, the pharaoh got angry and came after God’s people with his mighty army.
       Meanwhile, Moses and the newly freed Israelites had begun their journey toward the Promised Land.  A pillar of fire warmed God’s people and protected them each night.  During the daytime a pillar of cloud gave them shade and guided them - it was their divine GPS.  They had just travelled into a narrow canyon when word reached them that their enemies were riding hard in pursuit of them.   Before them, blocking their way forward, was the wide Red Sea.  Behind them were an estimated quarter-million armed soldiers and archers, plus 600 of the most technologically advanced chariots known to civilization at that time, and numerous other chariots and riders.  The Israelites, who had been laborers, knew nothing about being in a military battle.
        This was the terrifying, tense reality for 3 million men, women, and children.  Can you think of some time when you felt terribly frightened or overwhelmed?   I’ll never forget the morning I was putting a cap on a used needle and missed, plunging its tip deep into my thumb, to the bone. The person I’d just given a shot to (she was too scared to administer it herself each day), looked up at me and said “I have to tell you something very hard, I am HIV-positive.”   My world narrowed that day, down to wanting a test to see if I was infected.  I felt overwhelmed and terribly frightened.  I had no idea what my future would be, but I was fearing the worst.
        So were the Israelites on that long-ago day; some may have been silent and in shock, but others would have been anxiously talking out loud with others.   Some quickly made Moses the target of their anger, blaming him for their situation, saying it was his fault they were in grave danger.   Others were lamenting the loss of “how it used to be” in their old lives.  They felt bitterness and despair.  Yet others said, “we will never be rid of these Egyptians,” expressing their sense of hopelessness.    
       Now imagine Moses, standing at a vantage point.  As he surveyed the crowds as far as his eyes could see, there was a restlessness among the people.   He also heard the growing murmur, as fear spread among them.    Past experience had taught him to let them air their grievances for a bit, for that could  help some understand that on their own they were powerless.   He also hoped they might remember all the miracles God had so recently done to protect and provide for them.  
       When Moses spoke, he declared three things.   First, his voice rang out (and likely echoed) saying, “Do not be afraid.”   We all need someone to say that out loud for us when we are in a hard place, a crisis.   When fear is coursing through our body, we need someone who will remind us of this strong word from God.   We need those words “Do not fear” so we stop our fixation on the physical – on the diagnosis, or the piece of mail that gave us hard news, or the person in our lives who brings us such heartache.    Whatever deep chasm you may find yourself in, feeling boxed in and trapped, know that you are seen by God and God is with you during this time in your life.   God wants to break the grip that fear can have on us – because what it does is shut out this truth: “Nothing is impossible for God”. 
       If fear is still swirling through you, and a way out, over, or through your hard situation still seems unimaginable – listen to Moses’ next words.  He said “Be still.”   If you are agitated on the outside and have turmoil in your body and your mind – calming yourself is a much-needed next step.  It means quieting your whole self, sitting down, settling into a relaxed position and clearing your mind.  
      When the Israelites heard this, the agitated murmuring in the crowd would have become subdued; people would have sat down and become much calmer.   In silence there can be peace - haven’t you found that to be true?   God knows what we need; when we are panicking we need to follow this wisdom in our own lives and “Be still, be calm”.    
       Once we stop fearfully fretting and sit in silence we can pray, we can remember how God has provided for us in the past.  We can appreciate those who have supported and are supporting us.  We can see our blessings.   When fear isn’t controlling us, and we are calm, we have more space for faith.     
       “Fear not, be calm,” said Moses, then he declared this Good News: “You will see deliverance - God will make it happen today!”   It took faith for Moses to say these words and faith to believe them.   It was promised, not yet revealed, but trusting in God, the Israelites lay themselves down for a night’s sleep.  Our preferences and timetable for God to deliver us from trouble don't always work the same as God’s.   We often need to wait and keep on trusting in God.  
         That night, as 3 million quiet, fervent prayers were said, God sent a strong East wind howling through the valley.   As they heard that and huddled closer to their loved ones in the dark, in this life-or-death situation beyond their control, what was that like?   Did they feel peace as they chose to rely on God once more?   Have you ever lay down at night, during one of your own valley of trouble times, and felt held by God, secure and comforted by His presence?
      When morning came, everything the Israelites feared would happen to them had NOT come to pass.   No harm touched them.   They got rattled by fear, complained bitterly, expected suffering and death – but none of the trouble they feared materialized.  That valley they were in was not their end; it became their valley of blessing.   That morning they saw immense walls of water miraculously held back on the left and the right side of the Red Sea, and the center passageway was dry ground.   Not even muddy, to mire down their sandals or wagons.   And the huge pillar of cloud stayed behind them, shielding them so every one of them could safely cross to the other side.  Only then did God allow their enemy to charge toward them, looking fierce in their armor, ready to slaughter them.   All the Israelites got a good look at their trouble; the sights and sounds were etched into their memories.   Then God allowed the parted waters to crash back down toward the wide riverbed.   The powerful, churning waters defeated the entire army of the Pharoah.   No weapon they possessed was greater that the power of Almighty God.
      Are you feeling fearful about something these days?  If you are, remember this important truth.  God gives us resources.   Moses had his wooden rod; 15 times a miracle happened when God called on that ordinary man to raise his arm up and point his staff obediently.   With his heart full of faith, Moses and his rod helped provide all that the Israelites needed in their times of crisis.  We have the resource of our Bible, prayer and the church.   Each of these are powerful resources given by God to us.      
     The Israelites had a spectacular, illumined, tall pillar of clouds that God used to hide his people from the Egyptian army.  The fog-like conditions prevented them from advancing.   In our lives there are resources God wants us to use that are like a shield, or defense.   We may have the opportunity to take medication, have surgery or undergo treatments that can shield us from suffering, or a serious diagnosis.   When God provides something that can protect us, take advantage of it.   It may be  medicine or going to a support group or rehab facility.  It might be help for a strained marriage or a way to be less isolated as a caregiver.  Whatever the resource is, recognize it as God’s way of taking care of your needs.  
   And finally, know this:  The God of the past is still God today.  As we head into this week, none of us quite knows what will come our way.   I want you to share a Bible passage with you, a short one, and I urge you to memorize it.   It comes from Psalm 46:1-2: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in our time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.”   Once we settle into that place of trust in God, all sorts of good things can happen.   We can remember God sees us, we can calmly pray, we can get sleep while still living in uncertainty.   We can be mindful of the supports and resources around us.   And in God’s time God will lead us to the other side.  
      Then comes a celebration.   Here is the last exciting scene from today’s Scripture.  Moses’ sister Miriam leads everyone, singing a song of praise and shaking her tambourine with joy. 

“I will sing to the Lord,
    for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
    he has hurled into the sea.

“The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior;
    the Lord is his name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
    he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
    are drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters have covered them;
    they sank to the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, Lord,
    was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
    shattered the enemy.

“In the greatness of your majesty
    you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
    it consumed them like stubble.
By the blast of your nostrils
    the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood up like a wall;
    the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy boasted,
    ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils;
    I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword
    and my hand will destroy them.’
But you blew with your breath,
    and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
    in the mighty waters.
Who among the gods
    is like you, Lord?
Who is like you--
    majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
    working wonders?
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them:

“Sing to the Lord,
    for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
    he has hurled into the sea.”

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