A Picture of God’s Power (Exodus 14:31)

Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord and they believed in the Lord and in His servant, Moses.
—Exodus 14:31

Exodus 14:31 serves as commentary after God saved his people from the Egyptians—not only through the Passover but also through the crossing of the Red Sea. When the Egyptians were about to overtake the Israelites, God split the sea in two, sent his people through on dry land, and then brought the waters down upon the Egyptians who were pursuing them. Israel, the Bible says in Exodus 14:31, saw the great power that the Lord used to save his people; so they feared him and believed in him.

Exodus 14:31 reminds us of God’s might in salvation.

When I read this, many things come to mind, but one in particular stands out: God’s power is made known—made evident—in salvation. When God saves, it is a demonstration of his power. That is the picture in Exodus 14:31. It is also the picture throughout the Bible and in our lives. When God saves someone from sin, that is his power at work. When God takes the life of a sinner, draws that person to himself by his grace, and turns that life upside down so that it looks completely different, we see his power clearly displayed.

I think of a good friend who comes to mind right now. Before he followed Christ, I can hardly recognize him compared to who he is today. He is a completely different person. When he came to Christ, his whole demeanor changed. His mindset changed. The way he thinks changed. The way he speaks changed. He used to be rough; now he is gentle. He used to be mean; now he is kind.

This is a demonstration of the power of God at work in salvation. And so we are compelled to pray: God, show your power like this in more and more people. O God, change lives. Change hearts. Change minds for your glory.

Lord, I think about people for whom I am praying regularly—people who are apart from Christ, whose hearts are far from you, whose lives show evidence of that distance. God, change them. Show your power. Save them from their sin. Save them from their pursuit of this world and from the emptiness to which it leads. Give them fulfillment in you, satisfaction in you, joy in you, salvation in you—and in the process, show your power.

I encourage you to pray this right now for specific people in your life. Pray that God would show his power. Lift their names to him. I have names I will not say here, but for this person and that person, God, we pray: show your power in saving them. Use us to share the gospel with them so that this might happen. Give us boldness. Show your power on our behalf. Give us boldness to share the gospel.

A Prayer for the Dubla People

God, we also pray for people groups around the world. We pray for the Dubla in India—approximately 681,000 people, with little to no followers of Jesus among them. God, show your power in saving the Dubla people in India. They live in the far western corner of the country. Please, O God, show your power among the Dubla. Save and transform that people group by your grace and for your glory.

Do this to people around us. Do this in our churches as we gather this Sunday. Save sinners by your power. Transform lives. Do it around the world for the glory of your name, that you might be praised for your saving power.

In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.