Miriam was a woman who witnessed firsthand the awesome power of God many times in her lifetime. This trust was fostered in her as a young child by the women of faith close to her. Miriam trusted that God would be faithful and keep his promises to His people. She was taught to trust in spite of the challenges.
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalms 32:7-8
Miriam knew about hiding. She helped her mother hide her new baby brother for 3 months hoping his cries would not be heard and his life snuffed out per Egyptian decree. She knew about trouble. She was born into slavery in Egypt and being a slave was a hard life under the cruel reign of the Egyptian Pharaoh.
But, she also knew about deliverance. Just a child herself, she watched as the Egyptian princess fetched her baby brother from the river and decided to save his life. She boldly approached this royal entity, playing a vital role in returning Moses to the care of not just his loving mother and siblings but the care of his Israeli culture and heritage. Instead of growing up among Egyptian idol worship, he would be taught to worship the one, true God.
She knew trouble again as Moses returned to free his people and Pharaoh’s heart hardened, denying them freedom time and time again. But, yet again, she witnessed the deliverance of God in an amazing way. With the war chariots of the Egyptian army hot on their heels God parted the sea for their safe passage,then closed it upon their pursuing enemy.
“Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.””
Exodus 15:20-21
Miriam gave all glory for deliverance to God and she taught by wisdom and example, leading the women to do the same. She knew that God was trustworthy and would help her. She taught the women that God was their strength and the source of their joy. As the Psalmist also knew, God hears His people and wants to help them. This should be cause for joy and celebration.
Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.” Psalms 28:6-8
Miriam sets a good example for us today. God has delivered us from the power of sin through our Savior, Christ. In this fallen world, we will face troubles just as the Israelites did in Miriam’s day. But God desires us to know the richness of His love and blessings. We can encourage other women to trust in God with hearts of praise and gratitude.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17