The first Feast of Unleavened Bread must have been quite an experience for the Israelites!

They rejoiced as they departed from their state of bondage in Egypt. Jewish tradition tells us that the parting of the Red Sea took place on the 7th day of this feast. The Israelites crossed the sea on the dry sea bed and then watched as God drowned their pursuers as the water came crashing down upon them (Exodus 14:9-31).

But just three days later the Israelites seemed to have forgotten God’s intervention on their behalf. They murmured against Moses and apparently thought that the God that had led them out of Egypt was not capable of providing them water in the desert (Exodus 15:24).

Sometimes we read with great amazement about the reaction of the Israelites. Sometimes we might even feel superior to them!

But what is our situation today? Is it possible that our old habits catch up with us just a few days after the Feast of Unleavened Bread? How quickly can that happen to us after we kept the Feast that pictures our commitment to overcome sin? How soon after the Feast do we say or do something that we later regret?

But let’s not become discouraged. The spring festival season pictures the renewal of our relationship to God and of our commitment to walk with Him until the end of our physical lives. Sometimes we do stumble along the way. That’s why we always need to be willing to confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness (1 John 1:8-10).

As they stood near the shore of the Red Sea and saw Pharaoh’s army approaching – a symbol for sin – the Israelites were filled with fear. Perhaps they thought to themselves: "We are not going to make it!" But God told them through Moses: "Tell the children of Israel to go forward!" (Exodus 14:15).

That exhortation applies to us as well. We have made a decision to go God’s way, and God is willing and able to help us in our battle against sin. With His help, we will be victorious when we reach the end of that path. Like the Israelites of old, let us "go forward" in confidence!

With these thoughts I wish us all a rewarding Sabbath!