A Time to Celebrate

 Read Exodus 15. 

Up to this time we have read the groaning of the Israelites in the pain and sorrow of slavery.  Next, they cried out in fear as they thought they would be killed by the Egyptian army.  Then, they murmured and complained against Moses.  But in this chapter we hear a new sound in the book of Exodus.  This time, for the first time, we get to hear them praise God and celebrate. 

Psalm 92:1-4 "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.  For you O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy." 

God redeemed them from their past.  God delivered them from their fears.  God was guiding them into their future.  "The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." (v.2)

There is great value in those special times of celebrating what God has done--Christmas, Easter, The Lord's Supper, Baptism, testimonies of changed lives, God-given victories, deliverance from problems, and God's supply of blessings.  All the glory, as here in this chapter, should go to the One who made it possible. 

Why is this so important?

1. It is a time for reminding each other of the basis of our faith.  Our faith has a credible foundation and born out through our first hand witness. 

2. It is a time for teaching each other and, especially, the next generation of God's power, love and faithfulness to us. 

3. It is a time for presenting the good news of Jesus to those who have not yet embraced Him as LORD and Savior of their lives.