January 29: "The Lord is My Strength and Song"
Exodus 15:2 (ESV)
"The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him."
Read The Full Devotional Below.
Picture a man standing on the edge of a marathon finish line, his knees buckling under the weight of exhaustion. The crowd’s roar fades in and out as sweat blinds his eyes. But then, just as he’s about to collapse, he hears a voice from the crowd—his child, shouting, "You can do it, Daddy! I believe in you!" Strength surges through his legs, and with a final push, he crosses the finish line.
Life often feels like that marathon. There are moments we’re so drained by trials—physically, emotionally, spiritually—that crossing the finish line seems impossible. But in those moments, we’re reminded that God’s strength, not ours, is what carries us through. Today, we’ll explore the song of deliverance from Exodus 15 and how it echoes into our own struggles and victories.
The Lighthouse Keeper
There once was a man named Carter who worked as a lighthouse keeper on a rugged coastline. The stormiest waters in the region churned just below his watchtower, threatening every ship that ventured too close. His job was simple yet vital: keep the light burning.
Years passed, and Carter grew weary. The storms never ceased, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on him. One especially brutal night, the wind howled so fiercely that it rattled the windows of the lighthouse. Rain lashed against the tower like it wanted to tear it apart. Exhausted, Carter leaned against the wall, staring at the lamp that burned steadily. “How much longer can I keep this up?” he muttered.
Suddenly, the light flickered. Carter’s heart sank. He climbed to the top, finding the mechanism jammed. Frantic, he tried to repair it, but no amount of his skill could restore the lamp. The light went out. Darkness consumed the shoreline.
Panic gripped him as he thought of the sailors out at sea. He cried out, "God, I can’t do this anymore! I’ve failed."
And then, just as despair was about to take hold, Carter noticed something. A glow appeared on the horizon. Another lighthouse far down the coastline had seen his light go out and had doubled its own brightness, casting its beam across the dark waters. The waves glittered under the new light, guiding the ships safely through the storm.
Relief washed over Carter. In that moment, he understood: it was never his strength that saved the sailors. It was always the light, and the light was never his alone.
In Exodus 15…
The Israelites sing a song of praise after God delivers them from the pursuing Egyptian army. Imagine the scene: they’ve just walked through the Red Sea on dry ground, with walls of water towering on either side. Behind them, the sea crashes back, swallowing their enemies. This isn’t just relief; it’s overwhelming, awe-inspiring salvation.
"The Lord is my strength and my song"—this line isn’t theoretical for the Israelites. It’s deeply personal. They’ve just witnessed God’s power on full display. He didn’t just rescue them; He became their strength when they had none. Their song isn’t a rehearsed hymn but an overflow of hearts stunned by grace.
Finding Strength in Our Lighthouse Moments
Like Carter in the parable, we often feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. Whether it’s providing for our families, overcoming addiction, battling illness, or simply staying faithful in a world that’s increasingly hostile to God’s truth, there are moments we feel like we’re failing.
But here’s the good news: God’s light doesn’t go out. Even when our strength fails, He’s still at work. Sometimes He shines through us; other times, He sends help from places we never expected. In all cases, He’s the source of the light.
Just as the Israelites didn’t part the sea themselves, we don’t have to "fix" every storm in our lives. Our job is to keep our eyes on the light—on Him—and trust that He’s working for our deliverance.
Practical Steps:
Sing Your Own Song of Deliverance: Make a habit of reflecting on the times God has brought you through difficulty. Write them down, or even create a playlist of worship songs that remind you of His faithfulness.
Lighten Your Load: Remember that you’re not the source of strength. Pray daily, surrendering your struggles to God. Say, "Lord, this burden is too heavy for me, but I trust You to carry it."
Be the Lighthouse for Someone Else: Just as the second lighthouse in the parable helped guide ships when Carter’s light went out, look for ways to encourage others. A simple text, a prayer, or an act of service can be a beacon of hope for someone in a storm.
Anchor Yourself in Scripture: Meditate on Exodus 15:2 this week. Memorize it. Let it be a reminder that your strength and salvation come from the Lord, not from your own efforts.
There’s a moment when the storm feels like it’ll never end. But that’s often when God’s deliverance is just around the corner. The truth is, when we’re at our weakest, His strength shines brightest. Imagine the Israelites standing on the far side of the Red Sea, their feet still damp from the crossing. Their fear turned into a song. That’s the God we serve—the one who turns panic into praise.
So, let your heart sing, even in the storm. Like Carter, realize it’s not your strength that saves, but God’s unfailing light. Let His deliverance become your song.
Let’s Close in a Prayer…
Father, You are our strength and our song. When we are weak, You are strong. When our lights flicker, Your light remains steady. Help us to trust in Your deliverance and to lift up songs of praise, no matter the storm. May our lives reflect the light of Your salvation, guiding others to Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
An Invitation to go Deeper….
Join us for the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge, where you’ll discover practical ways to deepen your trust in God’s strength. Together, let’s keep our eyes on His light and watch Him do what only He can do.
