Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 14:15-18.
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.” Exodus 14:15-18.
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There are two points upon which we shall meditate in today’s Scripture.
First, why did the LORD give Moses good news, bad news, and puzzling news, particularly immediately after such unequivocally great news that Moses gave to Israel in the two preceding verses? (But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” Exodus 14:13-14.)
Second, the LORD will be honored not only through the salvation of His people but also through the destruction of others.
Regarding the first point, the LORD continually calls us to trust Him and the LORD will provide what we need. Although the LORD followed good news that “the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land” with bad news that “I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them” and puzzling news that “I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen”, Moses could remember the unequivocally great news that the LORD would accomplish salvation for Israel in the very same day and that He would fight for Israel while they kept silent.
For us today, we are also called to trust the LORD and the LORD will provide what we need.
“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13.
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.” Romans 1:16-19.
Regarding the second point, in the Book of Revelation immediately before Christ broke the seven seals starting with the six seals of Rider of White Horse, War, Famine, Death, Martyrs, and Terror in Revelation chapter 6, we read the following at the end of Revelation chapter 5 which shows us on the largest scale that the LORD will be honored not only through the salvation of His people but also through the destruction of others.
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb (Christ) that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,
“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”
And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:11-14.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 