Sunday, November 27: Scripture – Exodus 14:15-18
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.
16 But you lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground.
17 Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them, and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.
18 Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.”
Prayer Focus: Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the season of preparation for our celebration of Christmas. This year our theme is “Glory Draws Near” and over the next four weeks we will explore how “glory” both terrifies us and draws us in. We begin with a text from Exodus. The people of Israel are caught between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea. God answers Moses’ cry for help with a promise of a miracle crossing and the destruction of Pharaoh and his army. The military victory over the Egyptians will bring glory to the Lord. One way in which we understand glory is the acclaim that comes from victory. While we might struggle with giving God glory for drowning the Egyptian army, we celebrate God’s glory for conquering sin and death through the cross. As we begin our journey to Bethlehem, where God’s glory draws near, do not forget that our ultimate destination is the cross.
Prayer: Lord of power and might, bring us your victory today. Save us from the powers of sin and death that we might rejoice with the angels at the birth of Jesus, for to you alone belongs the glory. Amen.
Rev. Matt Rich