Dear Family,
Today is Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Today is Day 4 of Week 1 in our Count to Pentecost. This is the LDUB; a high Holy Day commanded to be a holy convocation in Leviticus 23.
This is the day we believe that God delivered ancient Israel through the Red Sea and destroyed Pharaoh and the army of Egypt. It is a glorious day of celebration because it pictures a complete delivery from the bondage and slavery of Egypt. It is a day where God shows His Sovereign power and plan. It is to be a day of great rejoicing!
The Counting of 50 days beginning on the Wavesheaf Day during the DUB and ending at Pentecost ties together two special baptisms. God says Israel was baptized in the Red Sea. The same Red Sea that “baptized” the Israelites drowned the Egyptians.
Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
The other special baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was on Pentecost, through the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit that God began His Church.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Safe and secure on the shores of the Red Sea, the Israelites who had just been groaning and complaining now began to sing and praise. They even danced joyfully!
Exodus 15:19-21 (19) For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. (20) And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. (21) And Miriam answered them; Sing ye to the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.
While Israel learned to praise after their deliverance, we are to learn to praise before and during our deliverance. In fact, we are to praise and rejoice all the time. We have the benefit of much hindsight through the Scriptures. And, we have the benefit of God’s Holy Spirit within.
Psalm 40:16 and Psalm 70:4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified…. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
Let us love the salvation of the LORD and let Him know it! Let us truly enjoy this Day as we feast with our God and our Brethren!
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God