You remember the story of the Exodus, right?

Pharaoh enslaves and abuses God’s people in Egypt. They cry out for God to set them free. God sends the deliverer Moses and a bunch of terrible plagues to break them out of slavery. They leave Egypt in the middle of the night, chased by Pharaoh and his army of chariots until they reach the Red Sea. Miraculously, God splits the sea, God’s people walk across on dry ground, and when Pharaoh’s troops try to cross the walls of water come crashing down and drown them all.

Then what happens?

What’s the first thing God’s people do after their supernatural rescue?

REJOICE!

Moses wrote a song and the people sang it.

“I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him…

…Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.”

(Exodus 141:18)

And on and on it goes, verse after verse. God’s people are exhausted from running, homeless now, at the edge of a desert, the promised land miles and years away…but they know they’ll get there. They know God will get them there. So they sing!

The oldest song in recorded history is not a sad song, a break-up song, or a love song. It’s a JOY song!

Generations later, the prophets promise God will send another deliverer. He will shatter the enemy and bring all people out of bondage to sin and death and into great joy.

---

OUR RESPONSE: Again today, write down three gifts from God you’re grateful for. And maybe write, sing, or listen to a JOY song too ; )