Tag: faith

Prophetic Praise

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn InspirationLeave a comment

In Exodus 15:20, Miriam the sister of Aaron and Moses, emerges from the crowd of Israel, moving forward with the women, and sings a song of victory:

“Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted! The horse and it’s rider He has thrown into the sea” (Ex. 15:21).

As Israel departed Egypt, with the clothes on their backs, unleavened bread, and plunder from Egypt (Ex. 12:35-36), one person had something more.

Moses led Israel in beautiful song, lifting his voice among those delivered. Miriam lead a song of praise, and a joyous dance with tambourine. Her song had rhythm, and noise.

Why did she bring it, the tambourine? We do not find a command to bring this type of personal item. Did she ask a neighbor for it? Did she conceal it? Or did people hear a rhythmic beat as they walked?

Israel is depicted as a conquering army leaving a battle: the fall of Egypt. As we know from Psalm 105:37 “not one feeble” among the tribes exited Egypt; for they were covered by the blood, and they had consumed the lamb and unleavened bread.

Miriam the prophetess, it would seem, was prophesying victory, when uncertainty surrounded, with a small tambourine; what would appear to be extra weight to carry on a long journey.

Some years ago I recall hearing a rabbi say, “If you are praying for rain, bring an umbrella; if you are praying for sunshine, bring sunglasses.”

With Miriam: when expecting victory, bring an instrument of praise, which then becomes a weapon of warfare (Eph. 6:10-18).

The beat and rhythm of the tambourine, and the shouts of praises, indicated that Israel was no longer hiding or running: they were free (Col. 3:16; cf. Eph. 5:18-20).

What army is pursuing you? What sea lay before you? The sea will open, and the pursuing army will parish; so bring something of praise with you from the outset, and get ready to shout and make a spectacle for the victory of the Living God.

Then your praise will be prophetic, because you were no longer fleeing from an enemy, but moving to a place of praise to the Lord.

Be well. Shalom.

No Camping!

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn InspirationLeave a comment

No camping, keep moving, keep pressing on. Do not settle here.

Just because the Lord is leading you through the Valley of Baca, בְּעֵמֶק הַבָּכָא, the Valley of Weeping, does not mean He expects you to camp there – you are just passing through.

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;

Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah” (Ps. 84:5-8).

As the psalmist indicates, there are times of distress, and during those times we must remind ourselves that our strength and hope is from the Lord, before whom we will appear. In fact, it is to Him that we are traveling on this pilgrim journey.

The longing to be in God’s house, before Him and joined with brethren, gives necessary strength for the journey. Thus, with blessing (springs/water) and hope, we go from strength to strength on this pilgrim way.

Keeping this in mind, in Beca there will be springs and rain, both indications of blessing, and life; even in the midst of trial and difficulty. Yet, as the author urges, you are still just passing through.

As you move through the bottomlands, those deep marshy places overshadowed by towering summits, where life looks so grand and majestic, remember: when God leads you into the valley it means that He knows how to lead you out (Ps. 23:1-6). Still, there is a promise.

As He leads you, remember, He is always with you, as your Emmanuel, as Yeshua/Jesus said, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” (Matt. 28:20).

I pray you find encouragement in these simple words today, and strength to keep pressing on.

Be well. Shalom.