Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle! (vs.8)
The Lord of hosts is a master strategist on behalf of those he loves. However, His battle plans can be counterintuitive. Remember the battle He fought for the children of Israel as they trudged away from Egypt into the desert? I wanted to take their first battle apart for a look at the way our God of hosts put His war plans together.
First, He took His army out by a strange route. The hosts of Israelites streaming out of Egypt, fists raised in defiance and sacks filled full of contraband, were led out by an indirect route. God reasoned: "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." Ah...He know us, huh? If it gets too hard to follow Him at first, we might run back to the easy fix.
The Lord went ahead of them. No scouts. The general, Himself, preparing the way. As a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, the God of this host led his troops in their exodus.
This general always anticipates the plans of the enemies, second-guessing their actions. He ordered Moses to have all the Israelites double back on their steps. "Then Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!' " said the Lord of glory. "He will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory."
Sure enough, this completely counter intuitive plan worked. Pharaoh sent his entire army after the stupid slaves. But let's pause to hear what His chosen people feel about His ability as their commander. "Why did you bring us out here to die in the desert? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? It's better to be slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!" Whew! God knew His people, clearly. Things did not get just a little hard - they became impossible! And their General led them right into the fray with no way out! Backed up against a sea of problems. Wha...? What kind of leader is this Who takes us to the edge of disaster? What kind indeed!
"Don't be afraid!" cried the second in command. "Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today! The Egyptians you see today will never, ever, ever be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm!"
The Master Strategist's reply? "Why are you crying out to Me? Get moving! My great glory will be displayed!" So Moses raised his staff, the people huddled near the banks of the water, and God?.....He moved to the rear of the battalion. While the waters of the Red Sea built up, driven by an east wind, the General stood guard between the approaching doom and His people. Egypt was stalemated. Couldn't get past the Presence.
Meantime - one foot in front of the other, the panicked Israelites walked on newly dried ground, walls of water frothing and wiggling like Jello on either side of them. I am sure they were anxious, fearing at any moment the walls would collapse upon them, dooming them to death in the desert. The last Israelite's toe had no sooner touched the opposite bank than the Commander-In-Chief told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again. As the sea collapsed upon the Egyptians, who were already confused by their chariot wheels falling apart in the sea bed, the host of Israel watched the entire army of Pharaoh drown in the waters.
The outcome? The Israelites saw the bodies of Pharaoh's soldiers washed up on the shore. They were awed. Heads spinning. Hearts thumping. What just happened? Twenty-four hours of walking in the wrong direction, terrifying pursuit by a mighty army, cornered at the edge of disaster, a windy crossing through a treacherous corridor and now dead Egyptians swallowed up by the very walls of water that had held fast until the very last moment. And the Israelites? They had not picked up a single sword, shot a lone arrow or boarded a mighty horse-driven chariot. Their only participation was obedience. Even when it made absolutely no sense.
What do you suppose they did next? They sang, of course, silly.
"I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously...The Lord is a warrior! Yahweh is His name!..Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders!"
Still our God goes before us! Still He leads the way. So, if you can't figure out why you've doubled back, why it looks like you are left for dead in some desert or why He would lead you right up to the edge of disaster and leave you there, hear your General say, "Don't be afraid! I will fight for you. Just stay calm. I know what I am doing! If you don't see Me out in front leading, I am behind protecting!"
Soon you will join in the chorus of the song of deliverance (Exodus 15). I will sing to my Lord, He has triumphed gloriously!"
The Lord of hosts is a master strategist on behalf of those he loves. However, His battle plans can be counterintuitive. Remember the battle He fought for the children of Israel as they trudged away from Egypt into the desert? I wanted to take their first battle apart for a look at the way our God of hosts put His war plans together.
First, He took His army out by a strange route. The hosts of Israelites streaming out of Egypt, fists raised in defiance and sacks filled full of contraband, were led out by an indirect route. God reasoned: "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." Ah...He know us, huh? If it gets too hard to follow Him at first, we might run back to the easy fix.
The Lord went ahead of them. No scouts. The general, Himself, preparing the way. As a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, the God of this host led his troops in their exodus.
This general always anticipates the plans of the enemies, second-guessing their actions. He ordered Moses to have all the Israelites double back on their steps. "Then Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!' " said the Lord of glory. "He will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory."
Sure enough, this completely counter intuitive plan worked. Pharaoh sent his entire army after the stupid slaves. But let's pause to hear what His chosen people feel about His ability as their commander. "Why did you bring us out here to die in the desert? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? It's better to be slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!" Whew! God knew His people, clearly. Things did not get just a little hard - they became impossible! And their General led them right into the fray with no way out! Backed up against a sea of problems. Wha...? What kind of leader is this Who takes us to the edge of disaster? What kind indeed!
"Don't be afraid!" cried the second in command. "Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today! The Egyptians you see today will never, ever, ever be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm!"
The Master Strategist's reply? "Why are you crying out to Me? Get moving! My great glory will be displayed!" So Moses raised his staff, the people huddled near the banks of the water, and God?.....He moved to the rear of the battalion. While the waters of the Red Sea built up, driven by an east wind, the General stood guard between the approaching doom and His people. Egypt was stalemated. Couldn't get past the Presence.
Meantime - one foot in front of the other, the panicked Israelites walked on newly dried ground, walls of water frothing and wiggling like Jello on either side of them. I am sure they were anxious, fearing at any moment the walls would collapse upon them, dooming them to death in the desert. The last Israelite's toe had no sooner touched the opposite bank than the Commander-In-Chief told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again. As the sea collapsed upon the Egyptians, who were already confused by their chariot wheels falling apart in the sea bed, the host of Israel watched the entire army of Pharaoh drown in the waters.
The outcome? The Israelites saw the bodies of Pharaoh's soldiers washed up on the shore. They were awed. Heads spinning. Hearts thumping. What just happened? Twenty-four hours of walking in the wrong direction, terrifying pursuit by a mighty army, cornered at the edge of disaster, a windy crossing through a treacherous corridor and now dead Egyptians swallowed up by the very walls of water that had held fast until the very last moment. And the Israelites? They had not picked up a single sword, shot a lone arrow or boarded a mighty horse-driven chariot. Their only participation was obedience. Even when it made absolutely no sense.
What do you suppose they did next? They sang, of course, silly.
"I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously...The Lord is a warrior! Yahweh is His name!..Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders!"
Still our God goes before us! Still He leads the way. So, if you can't figure out why you've doubled back, why it looks like you are left for dead in some desert or why He would lead you right up to the edge of disaster and leave you there, hear your General say, "Don't be afraid! I will fight for you. Just stay calm. I know what I am doing! If you don't see Me out in front leading, I am behind protecting!"
Soon you will join in the chorus of the song of deliverance (Exodus 15). I will sing to my Lord, He has triumphed gloriously!"
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