Day 19 — Miriam Leads the Song

“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang back to them: ‘Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.’”

— Exodus 15:20–21 (BSB)

Do you remember Miriam? In Book 1, she was the brave big sister who watched over baby Moses in his basket and spoke up to the princess.

Now Miriam was grown up. And God had just done something incredible.

God’s people had escaped from slavery in Egypt. But Pharaoh’s army came chasing after them, with horses and chariots, and trapped them against the Red Sea. There was nowhere to go!

Then God opened the sea. The waters parted, and His people walked through on dry ground. When Pharaoh’s army tried to follow, the waters came crashing back down. God’s people were safe!

What do you do after something like that? You celebrate!

So Miriam picked up her tambourine, and she began to sing and dance, praising God. And look at what happened: “all the women followed her.”

Miriam was a leader. She didn’t wait for someone else to start the celebration. She saw what God had done, and she led the way in praising Him. And others followed.

That’s what leadership is: going first in the right direction, so others can follow. Leaders aren’t always the loudest or the bossiest. Often, they’re the ones who start something good.

You can lead like Miriam:

• Lead in worship. Be the first to sing at church, or suggest praying together with your friends.
• Lead in kindness. Be the first to welcome a new girl.
• Lead in gratitude. Be the first to say thank you.
• Lead in joy. Your happy attitude can change the whole mood of a group.
• Lead in doing right. When everyone else is hesitating, go first.

You don’t need a title or a position to be a leader. You just need to go first in the right direction. And when you lead others toward God, you’re doing something wonderful.

Think about it: Why do you think the other women followed Miriam? What’s something good you could “go first” in?

Try this: Go first today. Be the first to start something good: a kind word, a prayer, a song or a welcome.

Dear God, thank You for Miriam, who led the way in praising You. Help me be a leader who goes first in the right direction, in worship, in kindness and in doing right. Help others follow me toward You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.