EXODUS 14:19-31 SAW... FEARED... BELIEVED Salvation is a work of God. The lamb slain in Egypt and the blood applied was from a sinless, innocent life given as a substitute for the needy firstborn who would die without that sacrifice. It represents the love, the heart, the inner being of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life for us, shed His blood for us, and provides safety for us when the blood is personally applied to the door of our hearts. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness." The children of Israel saw on the salvation side of the Red Sea, the bodies of Egyptians. God's salvation is based on Sacrifice, and God's Salvation finishes the power of the god of this world over us. We are empowered to "resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh unto you."
Remarkably, habits and sins that characterized the people of God when they "were on the other side of the flood," now do not have dominion over us. "Thanks, be unto God who giveth us the victory." Deliverance has taken place. We are able to "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Now we can see "the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore." Sin no longer is part of our new nature. It is an intruder who we are to throw out of our new life in Christ. We have been "made free from the law of sin and death."
When "Christ was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him," there came an awesome fear of the holiness of God who was willing to "lay upon Him the iniquity of us all." This was not a casual overlooking of sin and guilt. This was the whole power of the wrath of God against sin that was placed on the sinless Substitute. When God "spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all," we became participants in the death of the cross. We were crucified with Him, buried with Him and raised with Him and now are on the resurrection side of the cross. Sin, the world (Egypt) now is not in control. We live in Christ. No wonder we "fear the Lord."
Those Israelis "saw... feared... and then believed" the Lord. This first real step of faith changed everything. The toils of Egyptian bondage were past. The world has yielded its power to the power of God. We are now alive unto God in reality. Now as we move through these years of service for the Lord there are added to us those things that pertain to life and godliness. Those who believe the Lord, increase in faith, in love, in purity and patience. Those things which characterize the new nature and consequently the new life of the believer in the Lord, continue to enrich us.
Those who see, fear and believe, remember "the hole of the pit from whence we were digged, and the rock from which we have been hewn." We remember we "were bondman" in slavery to sin and its claims. Now we are free in Christ. There is gratitude, humility and a sensitivity to those who are set at liberty. It is part of the new life we have, to want to see those who are still captives set free as well. We reach out to them so they may "see, fear and believe." There are times when those who have been made free "become entangled again with the yoke of bondage." It is our responsibility to them to restore them, bear their burden, and seek to bring them again to where they can enjoy the freedom we have in Christ. It helps us to do this when we review again the salvation of the Lord at the weekly remembrance of the Lord's Supper. Also, when we sing our songs of deliverance and faith, the unity of the people of God strengthens us. In our devotional life of communion with God through reading the scriptures and prayer, we are caused again to "see... fear... and believe the Lord."
I may never stand on the shore of that sea. It may never be a privilege afforded to me To go to the place where Christ died for my sin, That I might be free from sin's bondage through Him. But I have experienced the deliverance that is real, And to a degree I know how those people did feel When they watched water cover their enemies at last, And knew finally their days of hard bondage were past.
I have seen the great work which God did by His grace, When the Lord Jesus on the cross willingly took my place. I know a great victory He won over hell, death and sin.
From the moment I put faith in Him a new life did begin. Old things did pass away and all things became new. They were not annihilated but their dominion was through. Now I had power over them, not they had power over me. That was because of the work of Christ that gave me victory.
Yes, there is a fear of the Lord, but it is reverential fear. I am glad to come when He bids me to draw near. Faith has full assurance, on Him I truly believe, And know from the bounty of His fullness I daily receive. When I need grace, that needed grace is there. If my weakness seems too great, His strength the burdens bear. Perhaps faith seems feeble; He gives more faith through His Word. And again, I am renewed when I see, fear and believe the Lord.
On the freedom side of the flood is where I belong. When I am weak, by His power he makes me strong. If times come when the world's attraction seems to appeal - I go back to the Source of life, and faith reveals The end of that system that opposes what is right, And the cloud is there to comfort, and the fire gives its light. On salvation's side of the flood is where I am safe. Here is where I experience the abundance of God's grace.
"Father, this new day I look over the turmoil of the world under the waves of uncertainty, deceit and powerlessness to bring peace. Where I am on this shore I can live daily in peace and safety even though I can see evidence of the storm all around - and I give Thee thanks and praise, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."