A Second Exodus

Psalm 107:10 - "Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death..."

Luke uses the same words to describe those to whom Jesus comes and lives. But here in Psalm 107, it looks like God is talking about Israel's Exodus from Egypt.

"He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to Yahweh for His goodness, and for His wornderful works to the children of men!" (Ps 107:14)

And yet, Israel went back to the darkness after their liberation. The darkness returned with their idolatry and the resulting exile, and it continued after Israel's return. Hearts remained captive to self and to other idols. Then a great light dawned, and the Redeemer, the Captain of our salvation, came forth, whose sandals I'm not worthy to touch.

"He calms the storm, so that its waves are still." (Ps 107:29)

Talk about Exodus! God saved His people by controlling the sea in un-natural ways. Jesus did the same for His disciples on the Galilee sea. It is by water and Spirit that we are brought into His kingdom (John 3:5), and our loving God moves both as He wishes.

God "has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13). In Jesus of Nazareth, the one anointed (Messiah) to deliver us, we are the people of a second exodus. So let's make sure our hearts, words or hands don't go back to Egypt, to that kingdom of darkness (1 Corinthians 10:1-22).