Moses & Miriam: Worship and Praise

God’s People on Mission

Moses & Miriam: Worship and Praise

When the newly freed Children of Israel arrived on the other side of the Red Sea, with the Egyptian Army destroyed as the walls of water closed in on them, the first response of the people, led by Moses, was to lift their voices in praise:

“I will sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him. (Exodus 15:1 – 2)

It is then Miriam, Moses’ sister, described as ‘Miriam the prophetess’ who takes up her timbrel and leads the women in praise and dancing.  When your enemies have fallen at the hands of God, whatever form those enemies might take, it is right – and it should be normal, for our hearts and voices be lifted in praise.

But it is also important to note that many of the Psalms are written as songs of praise to God, even in the middle of trouble. Psalm 43 says:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (Psalm 43:1-2)

And then a few verses later:

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 43:8-10

If we are considering what it means to be God’s people who are on mission – servants of the living God – then it is right and important that we are people of worship and praise! 

As our small group met for prayer this week, I was encouraged and strengthened as repeatedly the voices of each person who was with us, ushered forth praise.  There was no directive here, it just came naturally.  Certainly, we praise and thank God for what He has done, just like the Israelites did when they received their freedom.  But praising God for who He is, is particularly wonderful.

Praising God for who He is, helps to take our mind of the difficulties and problems, which may be consuming us.  It reminds us that these are only temporary things, and fixes our mind on God, who He is, His majesty, character, ability and promises – and in doing this we are reminded first and foremost of our future, a day when all our troubles are just a memory, and we’ll be in His presence forever.

But most importantly, Praising God for who He is, draws us close to Him. 

·         In being reminded that He is loving, we know we are loved.

·         In being reminded that He is gracious and forgiving, we know we can come honestly to Him.

·         In being reminded that He is Holy and Just, we know that the future will be nothing less than perfect.

And through reminding ourselves of God’s many great qualities, we’ll be filled with praise and thanksgiving that God is who He is, and we’ll be gathered into His glorious presence.