Packing Praise
I marvel at the mental picture in Exodus 15 after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. Moses leads the people in a song of praise to God for their miraculous deliverance, and then we see something extraordinary:
"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances." (Exodus 15:20)
Wait a minute. Timbrels? You mean tambourines?
Let's consider the context. The Israelites had fled Egypt in haste. Pharaoh's army was bearing down on them. They were escaping slavery with only what they could carry, presumably just the bare necessities for survival in the wilderness.
Yet somehow, these women had packed tambourines. All of them?
Can you imagine the packing decisions? "Let's see... bread, water, extra sandals... and definitely my tambourine!" It makes me smile to think about it.
Hollow Hallelujahs
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. - Ephesians 6:12
Have you ever felt like you're fighting a losing battle? I certainly have. There are days when I wake up, and before my feet even hit the floor, I can sense the spiritual oppression weighing heavily upon me. It's as if a thick fog has settled over my soul, obscuring the light of God's love and leaving me feeling lost and alone.
I find myself in this very predicament of late. Despite years of walking with the Lord, I suddenly feel miles away from Him. Doubts have crept in like unwelcome guests, setting up camp in my mind and refusing to leave. My prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, and I wonder if they even reach God’s ears.
Prisoners of Hope, Part Two
Witness the power of worship even in the midst of darkness and despair. Explore the significance of Paul and Silas singing praises to God while in chains and how their act of worship impacted not only their own spirits but also the other prisoners around them. Delve into the miraculous events that unfolded when an earthquake shook the prison, causing chains to fall off and doors to open. Reflect on the unexpected response of not only Paul and Silas but also the other prisoners, as they chose to stay despite the opportunity to escape.