A Song of Victory and Thanksgiving

Introduction:

Thanksgiving, giving thanks for all that we have, is important. It is even more important when we think through all for which we can/should give thanks and who deserves our thanks. When it comes to giving thanks, some of us might be a bit superficial when it comes to giving thanks, saying thank you..

Components and preparation of the food that we eat, where we live, work, worship

God’s grace and health

Jesus healed 10 lepers on His way to Jerusalem (Lk 17:11-19) . We are told that although 10 were healed only one came back to say thank you. Jesus question was and remains poignant, “Were not 10 cleansed, where are the nine?”

Might it be that a comparable small percentage really recognize what the Lord has done for them and come back to say thank you.

Exodus 15:1-21 is a shared song of thanksgiving for what the LORD had just done. Perhaps that is the key to spontaneous thanksgiving.

It’s fortuitous that we are focusing on this song of thanksgiving before God’s leading the people of Israel through/across the Red Sea. Included with that was destroying/drowning all of Pharaoh’s host, chariots and horsemen who followed the people of Israel through the sea on dry land - Ex 14:1-31.

Before we direct our attention to this inspired song of praise and thanksgiving that they sang to the LORD, there is one more question that we do well to ponder, “Why does our thanksgiving tend to focus on what has been provided or done, when for those whom we trust and shown themselves faithful, when we say thank you, we are not only saying thank you for the service provided but the service and care that we pray continue t provide?

Sincere gratitude and thanksgiving warrant a written record and perhaps even a song. Exodus 15:1-21 records a timely song of Moses and the people of Israel. While the LORD’s victory over Pharaoh’s host at the Red Sea prompted their song of praise and thanksgiving, Moses also acknowledged the larger most important reality, the LORD’s strength and salvation.

The LORD’s powerful, glorious victory - Ex 15:1-5

My song - the LORD’s glorious triumph(s)

My salvation - the LORD, my strength & song