August 6, 2021
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. Exodus 14:13a
As they stood watching, the “strong east wind all that night” (v.21) divided the Red Sea. Moses had been instructed by the LORD, “Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” (v.15).
So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. (v.22)
They stood still. Then they went forward. This is a perfect illustration to make the distinction between what only God can do for us and what we are instructed to do as a result of what He has done. Salvation belongs to our God! (Revelation 7:10) First He accomplishes it for us (justification). Then, as we move forward in obedience to His instructions, He accomplishes it in us (sanctification). These two go together!
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
After saving the people out of that immensely pagan environment, God rescued them again from the pursuing throngs. Without His powerful arm of salvation there would be no new beginnings and no character transformations. As we are being drawn closer to Him, He awakens us to the reality of His continuous intervention on our behalf. He initiates salvation; then He invites each of us to participate with Him in the continuing process… This is why, when the LORD spoke from Mount Sinai, He prefaced the listing of the Ten Commandments with “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” (Exodus 20:2) This “preamble” is repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6 when the Commandments are again listed. Beloved, exercise your will to thank him each morning for what He has already done for you in His mercy and for what He continues to do in you by His grace! Then walk with Him throughout the day.
The LORD has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:10
Beloved, by grace we are walking toward glorification! In prophetic vision, the apostle John was shown a glorious future scene in heaven:
…I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10