Singing the Song of Our Salvation

May 19th, 2022

"Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
Exodus 15:20-21 (ESV)

Miriam felt her sandals sink into the muddy banks of the Nile River as she concealed herself behind a clump of reeds. While she was several feet away from the small floating basket, she could just make out her baby brother’s babbling coming from inside.

At her age, Miriam was old enough to know what was going on. Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew boys be put to death upon their birth. Though her parents whispered, they couldn’t hide the sense of dread that blanketed their community. Fortunately, her mother’s midwives feared God more than Pharaoh and had helped deliver Miriam’s brother, Moses, safely and quietly. Her family had managed to keep him a secret for several months. But this week, something had changed. Her mother began making a tiny boat of reeds and pitch and this morning she had placed Moses inside and set him in the river.

Now Miriam sat watching him, praying for a miracle.

_{Mary Kathryn is a frequent contributor to}_{Sweet To The Soul FAITH Magazine}_.

While Miriam is perhaps a lesser-known woman of the Bible, she was given a front-row seat to some of the most dramatic miracles in history, starting with the one that unfolded on the banks of the Nile River.

God saved Moses’ life through the hand of an Egyptian Princess that day and she would raise him as her own. As a young man, Moses’ misplaced passion would lead him to murder an Egyptian, flee the country, and live for many years as a desert shepherd. Until one day, when God called him back to deliver his people out of slavery and out of Egypt.

Miriam would then watch as her middle brother Aaron would stand alongside Moses and oppose Pharaoh. Ten times she would witness God move on behalf of His people as plague after plague fell upon the Egyptians. Finally, on the evening of their first Passover meal, the Israelite Nation would be released from captivity.

Two weeks had passed since her people had left Egypt and Miriam’s heart was at ease. They had followed God’s presence across the desert and now they were coming to rest along the shores of the Red Sea.

But the peace was not to last. Late in the day, the cry first went out and fear tore through the community. Pharaoh's army had been spotted in the distance, swiftly advancing, trapping them against the sea. Battling a rising sense of dread, Miriam locked eyes with Moses and remembered that day by the Nile. God had made a way for life back then; surely He would do it again.

I pray, like Miriam, we would lead other women to praise God for the amazing, miraculous things He has done.

And He did. Just as God delivered Moses out of the Nile River, He delivered His people out of the Red Sea. As God parted the water, Miriam and her people walked across dry land, and then watched as their enemy was swallowed up by the waters, once and for all.

Exodus 15:20 tells us that Miriam was so overcome that she poured out her praise in a song. She gathered together the women around her and led them to testify to the greatness and wonders of God.

Throughout our lives, we are sure to experience moments like this - moments where we witness the undeniable hand of God. When these miracles happen, what is our response? I pray that we can be inspired by Miriam’s story and use those moments of salvation to sing out and tell others about God. I pray, like Miriam, we would lead other women to praise Him for the amazing, miraculous things He has done.

Father God, you are mighty to save! You make a way when all seems lost. You have silenced my enemies and led me into life. Thank you, Father, for all of these things. Help me be like Miriam! May I be so overwhelmed by the salvation you have given me, that I cannot help but sing my song and lead others to join me in it. Thank you, God, for all you have done and all you have yet to do. Amen

Blessings Soul Friends,

Mary Kathryn

Diving Deeper

When have you seen God make a way when it seemed there wasn’t one?
How has God saved you from your spiritual or physical enemies?
Who can you tell your story of salvation to today?

Resources

Stay encouraged with these beautiful, hand-lettered devotional cards from Mary Kathryn and the ladies at New Mercies For Moms.

Mary Kathryn Tiller lives in East Texas with her husband, two kids, and thirty head of cattle. She is a writer, speaker, and adjunct professor. Her passion is helping entrepreneurial mamas connect more deeply with Christ so they can thrive in all He's called them to do. You can connect with her on Instagram @MaryKathrynTiller.