Take a Look Behind You

A classic cartoon from my youth depicts the Red Sea story—and one moment is highlighted.

Moses has done the work of parting the sea, and the Israelites are mostly through to the other side. In the distance, you can see the Egyptian charioteers in vengeful pursuit but falling one by one as the waves crash in upon them, hurling them into the sea. In the background, a harrowing, terrible scene unfolding demonstrating without question the might of the Lord, “magnificent in power” (Exodus 15:6).

Just then, in the foreground, one Israelite who has narrowly escaped a horrific demise, turns to another, holding her robes up daintily, her face pinched by a foul smell, and says, “Oh ick, I stepped on a fish.”

I wonder when Jesus says in Saint Matthew’s Gospel, that no sign will be given to a wicked generation, (12:39) if at least a part of what He means is this: a poorly ordered heart is going to miss the miracles that are breaking open all around her.

The Lord is active all the time, the Spirit is never static but in constant, saving motion. Jesus, greater than Solomon, greater than Jonah, is ever-bent toward healing and redeeming me, but do I notice? Am I paying attention to His great feats of rescue?

Sister, we never want to get stuck in the past, but sometimes it’s good to look behind us, to recall the works of the Lord in our lives and the lives of our ancestors, to enter into God’s glory for “he has covered himself in glory” (Exodus 15:1). I think that glory is meant more for us than for God—to remind us Who He is evermore.

Spend some time today remembering in gratitude moments when the Lord was clearly at work in your life or the life of someone you know. Call a friend and share that moment with her, giving God the glory. He is greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon, and He has His loving, guiding hand on you—always.

The Lord is active all the time. // Liz Kelly Click to tweet

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