A Life In Three Moments

Exodus 15:19-21

(Miriam’s Song)

19When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers rushed into the sea, the LORD brought the water crashing down on them. But the people of Israel had walked through on dry land!

20Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women in rhythm and dance. 21And Miriam sang this song:

“I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;

he has thrown both horse and rider into the sea.”

Psalm Link

Psalm 30:11-12

11You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.

You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

12that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Like most of us, Miriam had moments of greatness and, well, moments of less than greatness.

Moment 1: When Pharaoh’s daughter retrieved Miriam’s brother, Moses, from a basket floating in the Nile river, Miriam suggested that she get a Hebrew nurse for the baby. Then she ran home and called her mother (Exodus 2:1-8). That was a moment of greatness.

Moment 2: It looked as if the Egyptian army would overtake the Israelites and slaughter them. But the Lord parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape while the pursuing Egyptians drowned. Miriam seized upon this opportunity to lead the women in a jubilant song of praise to the Lord. The Scriptures even call her a prophet, for she spoke God’s truths to his people (Exodus 15:19-21). That, too, was a moment of greatness.

Moment 3: Later, Miriam and Aaron criticized their brother, Moses, for his marriage to a Cushite woman. This was fueled by their jealousy of their brother’s leadership role. God became angry with them and struck Miriam with leprosy (Numbers 12:1-12). That was a moment of smallness.

We all have moments of greatness, but we are also capable of acts of smallness. With this in mind, be careful to call upon God each day to lead you where he desires.

Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul;

Take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole.

That having all things done, and all your conflicts past,

You may overcome through Christ alone, and stand complete at last.

CHARLES WESLEY

Notable Quotable

“As the first of the sweet singers of Israel, Miriam sang for God, using her gift for the elevation of human souls into a higher life.”

HERBERT LOCKYER