Singing Can Change It

Exodus 15:1 (ESV) Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

The enemy is defeated, Israel is finally and fully saved from Egypt FOREVER. And the first thing they do is SING.

Saved people sing. We are drawn to song when our lives are redeemed from hopelessness to hope, from emptiness to fulness. If there's a strength in the people of God during the Old Testament it is their commitment to song. Consider that the Old Testament's longest book is a book of Psalms - the hymnbook of the Jewish people. Of all the things they could have collected, they made sure to collect their songs. 

Songs have an emotional effect. How often does a song just hit us at the right time and lift our spirits to something we previously weren't experiencing. How many songs express our common emotions both good and bad. Many popular singers make millions on songs related to emotional pain that others can relate to and cling to when life is disastrous. 

Songs have a teaching effect. Songs can help us remember and learn. We grow up learning our A-B-C's in song. Sesame Street is full of songs related to numbers and letters. Songs help us learn the scriptures and memorize historical facts about Davey Crocket or the War of 1812 (Star Spangled Banner). 

Songs have an emboldening effect. They help a group of people who may need to gather in strength. Unjust conditions experienced by African Americans under slavery were freed from their bondage through the use of songs. The African spirituals helped assist runaway slaves to find the under ground railroad and find their freedom. 

Today songs at sporting events embolden the crowd and excite them to dizzying effects. How many people sing karaoke sheepishly at first only to explode in bravado moments later? It's an empowering thing to sing.

So it makes me realize something for us Christians. Whatever we are going through, we are only a song away from seeing something change! Our God has triumphed gloriously over sin, hell and death. We are forgiven and accepted into the beloved. We have the victory in Christ from our past and future victories awaiting us in the future. 

Notice what the Israelites do in this song. They first sing about what just happened... (Pharaoh is drowned) and then they sing about the victories to come later by the power of their God:

Exodus 15:14–17 (ESV) The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16 Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.

Please remember: just two chapters earlier, God had to lead these people away from areas where they may experience war:

Exodus 13:17 (ESV) When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.”

Now they are singing with assurance that those other nations have no chance against their God! What a difference a song makes. What a difference to join the song, be reminded of God's past work on our behalf (the Cross and empty grave) and look forward to our future (new heavens and new earth) knowing that our enemies cannot stand against us! A song can turn cowards into courageous warriors.

Let me ask you, have you lost your song? It starts there. Sing for what He has done! It will lift you, teach you and embolden you to expect great things from God.