With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
Risen Christ, by your death and resurrection you brought dawn to darkness. You have made a new way, from death to life, cross to crown, grave to glory. We are frail creatures in a world of change and decay. Rule over us in your resurrection power. Subdue sin and evil, disease and destruction. We have nothing apart from you, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.
Confession
O Lord, I live a world of dead ends. There is always an end. An end to my energy. My time. My love. My patience. My money. My very life. I am trapped by limits. I am burdened by my frail, finite limits. I have exhausted all other options. Nothing else satisfies. You burst forth from the grave to give me life beyond the horizon. You are my singular hope, my only prayer. Risen Savior, have mercy on my dead ends.
Word: Exodus 14:25
“And the Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.’”
Meditation: Help is Coming
Today’s meditation is written by Allison Lewis.
When we read the beginning of the book of Exodus, we read about the struggles and hardships of the Israelites. They are captive slaves, at the mercy of Pharaoh and all the Egyptian people. The Israelites work long days in the hot sun, they are constantly tired, they are weary. More than once, I’m sure they wondered, “Where is God? What is he doing? Will we be held captive forever?”
Then, in God’s timing, he frees his people. He gives them time to pack their belongings, and then he asks his people to trust that he, through Moses, his servant, will bring them safely to Canaan, the promised land of their ancestors— a land flowing with milk and honey. The next logical question is, “How?”
God answers by parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Just imagine you’re at the beach and suddenly the ocean splits down the middle, and you’re able to see the ocean floor. Makes you wish you had a camera, right?
As the Israelites are walking across the dry ground, they see the Egyptians are quickly pursuing them. In fear, they panic. They wonder why Moses has brought them to the desert. They doubt God rather than trusting his love and grace. They look around for help.
Often, I think we default to doubt when we can’t see God working in our lives. We cry out for help, but when it doesn’t appear how we think it should, we get impatient or frustrated. In my own life, I’ve come to realize that God is usually working behind the scenes. He is on the way; his help is coming. Christian singer Toby Mac puts it this way in his song, “Help is On the Way”:
It may be midnight or midday
It’s never early, never late
He gon’ stand by what He claim
I’ve lived enough life to say
Help is on the way.
God, in his infinite love and mercy, protects his people from Pharaoh and his army. He allows the wheels of the Egyptian chariots to get stuck in the sandy ground. The Egyptians know that God is not on their side. They say to each other, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them” (Exodus 14:25).
God is with you. God is fighting for you. You need only to be still.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my constant help.Thank you for freeing me from sin. Help me to turn to you and trust your timing. Amen.
Benediction
The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Pet. 5:10-11)