TLIC Psalms. December 11. To Him Who Led His People.  

Read Psalm 136:10-16. ¹⁰to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; ¹¹and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; ¹²with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; ¹³to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; ¹⁴and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; ¹⁵but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; ¹⁶to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;

The Great Hallel moves us now from praise for the Creator-God to praise for the Rescuer-God. By his steadfast covenant love for Israel, God brought his people out from bondage in Egypt, through the divided Red Sea, overthrowing Pharaoh and his host. You’ve likely read the story (or seen the movie).

In Christ, our Rescuer-God has also brought us out from underneath the bondage of our great oppressors – Sin and Death.

We too have been brought out from among the unregenerate by his strong hands and his outstretched arms on the cross. For his steadfast love endures forever.

We too have passed through the sea of baptism into Christ’s death to the power and penalty of sin. For his steadfast love endures forever.

We too are now pilgrimaging through the wilderness, led by the Spirit of Christ to our final home with Jesus. For his steadfast love endures forever.

To live is Christ is to trust in our same Rescuer-God and our union with him as we look back on our own redemption and forward to our prize of life together with him forever.

You: Do you ever think about the day you were saved? Share it with someone.

You in Christ: How does our salvation in Christ compare to the salvation of the Israelites from Egypt? How is your salvation even greater?

Christ in you: Try writing your own personal version of verses 10-16. Be sure to end each stanza with his steadfast love endures forever.

Pray: Jesus, you rescued me and re-created me in your likeness, all by your steadfast love. Now keep my eyes fixed on you as we wander this wilderness together until you call me home. Amen.