The story of the Exodus is one of the richest narratives in the Old Testament, filled with miraculous deliverance, moments of triumph, and unexpected challenges. In Exodus 15, the Israelites find themselves on the other side of the Red Sea. They’ve escaped Pharaoh’s tyranny, seen their enemies swept away, and now face their first night in the wilderness. What comes next?

The wilderness looms—a new challenge, a barren expanse far removed from Egypt’s relative predictability. Moses calls everyone together to assess their resources, asking, in essence, “What do we have to sustain us through this journey?” The Israelites were unprepared in many ways, having fled Egypt in haste with little more than faith and freedom. Supplies were scarce, and it wouldn’t be long before nostalgia for Egypt's “good old days” crept in, despite the harsh reality of their former enslavement.

In the face of this uncertainty, Miriam steps forward, bringing what might seem like an unlikely survival tool: her tambourine. This simple instrument carried profound significance, not only for Miriam but for all who followed her example.

Why the Tambourine?

Miriam’s tambourine wasn’t just an accessory—it was a symbol of faith and praise. She understood that crossing the Red Sea was just the beginning. The wilderness would bring trials: thirst, hunger, doubt, and fear. To survive, they couldn’t afford to lose their praise. Miriam knew there would be times of disappointment, struggle, misery, and even despair. In those moments, praise would be their lifeline.

Praise is not merely an emotional response to good times; it is an act of spiritual warfare. Miriam’s tambourine was a declaration: “No matter what we face, we will magnify God. We will not let the wilderness silence us.” In her hands, the tambourine became a tool of resilience and faith, reminding us that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).

Praise in the Midst of Trials

The wilderness is not just a geographical location—it is a metaphor for life’s struggles. Seasons of life swing between highs and lows, just as the Israelites experienced:

• Down: Enslaved in Egypt.

• Up: Freed from bondage.

• Down: Trapped at the Red Sea.

• Up: Crossing on dry land.

• Down: Entering the wilderness.

Life is full of these oscillations. In those “down” seasons, praise becomes our anchor. Consider Paul and Silas in Acts 16. Beaten and imprisoned, they chose to praise God at midnight. Their prayers and songs swung the prison doors wide open, unleashing God’s power. Their praise didn’t just comfort them—it transformed their circumstances.

The same principle applies today. Praise is the straw that breaks the devil’s back. When we praise God despite our struggles, we declare that our faith is not dictated by circumstances but rooted in His unchanging goodness.

Praising Through the Unfinished

It’s easy to praise God when the victory is clear, but true faith celebrates even in the partial victories, the unfinished chapters, and the barren seasons. Numbers 21:16-17 tells of a time when the Israelites sang to a well before any water flowed: “Spring up, O well; sing to it!” They praised God not for what they saw but for what they believed was coming.

Similarly, Isaiah 54:1 calls the barren to sing, rejoicing before the breakthrough. Praise in the wilderness is an act of trust, a declaration that God’s promises are sure even when the evidence isn’t visible.

Take Your Tambourine

What does it mean to “take your tambourine”? It means refusing to let life’s challenges silence your praise. It means carrying a spirit of worship into every season, even the barren ones. Praise is not contingent on emotions or outcomes—it is a decision to trust God.

As Hebrews 13:15 exhorts us, we bring a “sacrifice of praise,” offering worship even when it costs us something.

When you praise God in the wilderness, you honour Him and strengthen your own faith. Praise transforms your perspective, reminding you that the God who parted the Red Sea is the same God who walks with you through the desert.

If you’re in a wilderness today, don’t drop your tambourine. Let your praise be the declaration that sustains you, the faith that propels you forward, and the song that magnifies the God who is already making a way.