Basic HTML Version
Have a Heart Filled With Gratitude, January 6
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke,
saying: “I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse
and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The Lord is my strength and song,
and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him; my
father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”
Exodus 15:1, 2
, NKJV.
Like the voice of the great deep, rose from the vast hosts of Israel that sublime
ascription. It was taken up by the women of Israel, Miriam, the sister of Moses,
leading the way, as they went forth with timbrel and dance. Far over desert and sea
rang the joyous refrain, and the mountains reechoed the words of their praise....
This song and the great deliverance which it commemorates made an impression
never to be effaced from the memory of the Hebrew people. From age to age it
was echoed by the prophets and singers of Israel, testifying that Jehovah is the
strength and deliverance of those who trust in Him. That song does not belong
to the Jewish people alone. It points forward to the destruction of all the foes of
righteousness and the final victory of the Israel of God. The prophet of Patmos
beholds the white-robed multitude that have “gotten the victory,” standing on the
“sea of glass mingled with fire,” having “the harps of God. And they sing the song
of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb” (
Revelation 15:2, 3
)....
Such was the spirit that pervaded Israel’s song of deliverance, and it is the spirit
that should dwell in the hearts of all who love and fear God. In freeing our souls
from the bondage of sin, God has wrought for us a deliverance greater than that
of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Like the Hebrew host, we should praise the Lord
with heart and soul and voice for His “wonderful works to the children of men.”
Those who dwell upon God’s great mercies, and are not unmindful of His lesser
gifts, will put on the girdle of gladness and make melody in their hearts to the
Lord. The daily blessings that we receive from the hand of God, and above all
else the death of Jesus to bring happiness and heaven within our reach, should be
a theme for constant gratitude. What compassion, what matchless love, has God
shown to us, lost sinners, in connecting us with Himself, to be to Him a peculiar
treasure!—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 288, 289
.
[14]
13