13 April 2010
Psalm 5, 6; Exod. 15:1-21; 1 Pet. 1:13-25; John 14:18-31

The first worship song ever recorded! As they get through the Red Sea and see Pharaoh’s army defeated the reaction is to praise the Lord for what He has done. After 430 years of life in Egypt including the last years of slavery and oppression, the deliverance is complete. What joy they must have experienced as they saw the remaining army cut off by the waters of the Sea. Praise for what has happened isn’t enough, however, they also praise Him for the effect this will have on the nations that stand between them and the Promised Land, speaking of Moab, Philistia, Edom and Canaan trembling in fear from hearing of this event. They surely know that the love, faithfulness and power of the Lord on this day.

There is an inextricable link between hearing the words of Jesus, believing them, and acting on them. Jesus here speaks of those who will know His presence, who will see Him, as those who keep His words. It is in faithfulness to our beliefs that we know Him, as His Spirit joins with us in the work and we see evidence of fruitfulness in our efforts that is clearly beyond our capability. Sometimes that fruitfulness is immediately evident, as in the events of the Red Sea and on the day of Pentecost. More often, however, that fruitfulness is the result of a long obedience. Here, Jesus promises the disciples that as they do the work He has given them to do, they will know Him to be among them.

Paul uses many words that connote action, beginning with “Prepare your minds for action…” He speaks of obedience to the truth, amendment of their ways, being holy in conduct, that God judges according to our deeds. Paul understood the connection between what we believe and what we do. That faithfulness to our beliefs is righteousness, when what we believe is evidenced by how we live and how we think about life. When those are in perfect alignment we have righteousness. The evidence of faith is our life lived in accordance with what we believe. I flip the switch in the kitchen each morning in the unshakeable belief that the light will come on when I do, I don’t waver in my commitment to that truth and take a flashlight with me just in case. If we believe that eternity is secure because of the finished work of Christ, we have freedom to live this life for Him just as He did for us.

Let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.