Don’t forget your tambourine!

“For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.””
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Miriam was born into slavery. She watched her mother send baby Moses down the Nile in a basket with a prayer that God would spare him- and Miriam saw God answer that prayer. But she was a grown woman who lived through the harsh hand of slavery before God sent Moses back to Egypt to free His people. 
We don’t know what she was thinking when they finally walked out of Egypt. We don’t know if she crossed the Red Sea in terror or in confidence, but we do know that she packed her tambourine. 
It says something about her faith that as she left Egypt she chose to keep her tambourine at the ready. She expected to need it. She expected to sing in praise.

Sisters, we have that great expectation EVERY DAY. Jesus has delivered us from our sins. Our father loves us and He has prepared goodness before us. He guides our steps. He provides for our needs. As you prepare for the new day He has given you, thank Him for His sovereignty, for His kindness, for the Red Seas He will part for you and even the pain He may carry you through. As you walk out the door today don’t forget your tambourine. 

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51‬:‭7‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬