The Red Sea Rules: Week 10

Today, we are concluding our Summer Book Club-Style Bible Study with Robert Morgan's book The Red Sea Rules.

Week-by-week, since early June, we have been thinking about what it means to live by faith. Each week we've studied a biblical principle and thought about how to apply it to our lives when we are going through difficult times. The final rule is a simple one: Don’t forget to praise Him.

Still need to get the book? Click here to order or download your copy (less than $10 for the hardcover and less than $2 for the Kindle version).

Need to catch up? 
Read Week 1 here, Week 2 here, Week 3 here, Week 4 here, Week 5 here, Week 6 here, Week 7 here, Week 8 here, and Week 9 here.

"On the way to Jerusalem He was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19

Today and going forward, let's be the one who turns back praising God with a loud voice!

​Red Sea Rule 10: Don’t forget to praise Him.

In some ways it’s amazing that we should even need this rule. When you and I are in the middle of some crisis or trial, we imagine that when God gets us through it we will be so filled with thanksgiving that no one will be able to stop us from praising God! Yet the sad reality is that we do so often forget even to say thank you to God. That’s why we need this rule. Don’t forget to praise Him.

Think about that story of the ten lepers

On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus travels along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As He enters a village, ten men with leprosy meet Him there. They stand at a distance and call His name, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When He sees them, He says, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they go, they are healed. One of them, when he sees that he is healed, turns around and comes back, praising God loudly. (Let's be like him!) He throws himself at Jesus' feet and thanks Him. Jesus asks him, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner" (Luke 17:11-18)?

Do you feel convicted when you read that story? I know I do. We need the reminder that we find in Red Sea Rule 10: Don’t forget to praise Him.

The song of Moses

"Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea. 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" Exodus 15:1-2.

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Post Continued

Let's praise Him today!

That is exactly what we are going to do! As we are reading this post we have the opportunity to share with each other the ways that God has provided for us. Feel free to share in the comments section anything that you are thankful to God for.

“He lets out His mercies to us for the rent of our praise, and is content that we may have the benefit of them so He may have the glory.” — John Trapp

I'll start us off right here: I praise God for the way He guides and stretches us, while He encourages us to grow in faith!

​I’ve finally completed writing a book entitled The Heart That Heals: Healing Our Brokenness Through the Promises of God. It took me 17 years to write this short, 150-page book. I was learning and growing every step of the way. How I treasure that time—seeing God’s faithfulness to me over and over again!

If you have a desire to reach out to those who are hurting and broken, whether they know God or not, this book is an excellent resource. It's like a catalogue of God's promises. Plus, the plan of Salvation is clearly laid out in chapter 7. It will be available on Amazon September 1, 2019.

Maybe you have something you need to express thanks to God for. Or, maybe you would like to share with us how The Red Sea Rules have helped you. How has God provided for your spiritual growth through this Bible study and these biblical principles? Is there one of these rules that has helped change your outlook on some difficulty that you are facing? Would you be willing to share that with us today? That would be encouraging to the rest of us, and it would also be honoring to God. Let us join with you in praise! Comment below.

Let's revisit The Red Sea Rules

1. Realize that God means for you to be where you are.
2. Be more concerned for God’s glory than for your relief.
3. Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
4. Pray!
5. Stay calm and confident, and give God time to work.
6. When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith.
7. Envision God’s enveloping presence.
8. Trust God to deliver in His own unique way.
9. View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future.

If God has helped you through those nine rules, then don’t overlook the tenth one. Don’t forget to praise Him!

“Commit whatever grieves thee into the gracious hands of Him who never leaves thee, Who heaven and earth commands; Who points the clouds their courses, Whom winds and waves obey. He will direct thy footsteps and find for thee a way.” —Paul Gerhardt, German hymns

I want to tell you one more small thing that I am thankful for. Throughout the summer, as we have been studying The Red Sea Rules, I have found it to be such an encouragement to me personally. The study has come at a time in my life when I was feeling overwhelmed and honestly, a little discouraged. I really needed these types of reminders this summer. I give thanks to God for that! This little book, The Red Sea Rules, doesn’t say anything that’s never been said before. That is one of the reasons I like the book. It is such a good summary of tried-and-true biblical principles. It’s nice to be able to be reminded of them and to pass those principles on to others.

We have had several requests to make these 10 blog posts into a printable version. So, we will be working on that this fall and I'll let you know when it's available. (The resource will be a free download in an eBook format.)

​I appreciate everyone of you who have followed along this summer and participated in the comments!

“Wash your face every morning in a bath of praise.” —Charles Spurgeon

Now is your time. Please tell us how God has been working in your life. Don’t forget to praise Him!

​​This week's discussion questions:

1. If you read carefully, you’ll discover the people in Exodus 15 praised God both for who He is and what He did. From the first several verses of the chapter, jot down some ways the worshippers described the person of God.
2. What can you learn about praising the Lord by seeing how the Israelites praised Him?
3. Right now, pause and record one possible reason you should be praising God in the midst of your journey through the Red Sea.
4. What steps in your daily routine will help you make praise an ongoing habit in your life?

Can I challenge you to memorize ​Exodus 15:2 with me this week?

"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." Exodus 15:2

portions of this post are quoted from www.efcbemidji.org