I‘m so excited to continue this Hello Miriam Mini Series. Last week we got to take a look at Miriam as a child. This week we get to see her as a worship leader! Truly, I love her story. There is actually more of her story in the book of Numbers so I think we will add to this series when we get to that book. If you didn’t catch Hello Miriam Part I click HERE before you continue reading!

By the way THANK YOU so much for being here!

This part of Miriam’s story has always spoken to my heart. I haven’t talked about my testimony very much so I’ll take this opportunity to share a little bit of it. I became a Christian at the age of 15. I remember it like yesterday. It was a Friday night in 2000. I was at Generation Noah youth group. The preacher did an alter call and my spirit did somersaults. God was calling me by name right at that very moment. Jesus met me right where I was and in return I walked up to the front of that alter and knelt down before the foot of the cross. I accepted Jesus as my LORD and savior that night. I bawled my eyes out thinking about the sin I was being cleansed of. Grateful that God would sacrifice His son. Grateful that Christ would sacrifice His life. For me! It was a pivotal moment. Everything changed. Life as I knew it was never the same. It hasn’t been perfect. It’s been really difficult at times. But one thing I know for sure is that when you say Yes to Jesus it’s like God ties a string around your heart and never let’s go. No matter how far you drift…. He will ALWAYS pull you back in! That’s been my story.

Ok so how does my story tie into Miriam’s?

In Exodus 15:20 we see Miriam in her element! ²⁰Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourine and dancing. ²¹ Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”

1. Miriam danced

2. Miriam sang

As a new believer I went to a very charismatic church. The type of church that will allow the Holy Spirit to move freely during worship even if that means staying at church a little bit longer than planned. We had a dance team. Just thinking about it makes me smile. I have really fond memories of being part of the dance team. Miriam was one of the biblical characters we looked to as inspiration. She was proof that dancing and singing for the Lord was not only acceptable but encouraged in the bible. Now-a-days I am no longer dancing on a praise team but my years as a dancer in church helped develop the heart of a worshipper within me. Praise and worship is important for so many reasons. Miriam’s story demonstrates one of those reasons.

Before verse 20 we see the people of Israel escape from the hands of the Egyptian pharaoh. If you know the story of the Exodus then you know that God split the sea and created dry land for the Hebrew nation to walk on. As soon as they got across he let the waters fall back into place and drown their enemies. Chapter 15 is all about Moses and Miriam leading the people in singing and dancing as a form of thanksgiving for their escape. This is just one example in scripture of dance as a form of celebration and worship towards the Lord!

The same verse reads slightly differently in the NIV, Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced.

3. Miriam led

Another encouraging point. Miriam led. The women followed. Ladies we are leaders! Whether we like it or not. We have influence. Positive influence or negative influence. It’s up to you. The point is that you lead and someone in your life is following!

Let’s lead right!

I can’t say it enough. I love this story! I love the example Miriam gives women. She reminds me that in Christ we are:

free to SING

free to DANCE

free to LEAD

My Prayer For You:  Lord I can’t thank you enough for the examples you recorded for us in your word. Thank you that we have Miriam to look to for encouragement. Thank you that she reminds us that in you we find the freedom to sing and dance! I pray for every reader you lead to this page. I ask you to bless them with supernatural blessing and favor. I ask you to be with them when they feel far from you. I ask you to please reveal yourself to them in a new and fresh way! I also pray that your word may not return to void but that it may fulfill that which you set it out to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Memory Verse: Psalm 143:3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.

Have you ever been on a praise team? Did you dance or sing for the Lord? Or maybe played an instrument for Jesus? Feel free to leave a comment below sharing your praise and worship team experience.

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Keep Shining! Nat