Dial-a-Devotion -- January 21st

In the name of Jesus our Savior, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church welcomes you to ‘Dial-a-Devotion’, this is Vicar Tom Schlund.  Our text for today is Exodus 14:21 which reads:

21 “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”

Did you hear the wind blowing last night?  I was outside for just a little bit and then inside listening to it.  It was blowing really hard.  I even heard that some people had lost power due to the strong winds blowing down power lines.  It sounded like a strong storm, and yet there was no rain or snow to go along with the wind. 

Wind can be a very destructive force.  We see winds in tornadoes like the one that destroyed part of Joplin, MO a couple of years ago. Winds also come in hurricanes and other storms of various types and strengths.  When the wind blows it can knock down trees and branches, it can pick up objects and fling them, and it can kill people who are outside, especially if the weather is extremely cold. 

Now while the wind can be destructive and cause us great problems and headaches, we hear in our scripture reading for today how God has used wind to save his people.  God sent Moses to lead his people out of Egypt and they were heading toward the promised land.  The Egyptians decided they didn’t want to let them go so they came after them with a great army.  The Israelites were distressed because they were backed up against the Red Sea with no way to escape and the thought that the Egyptians were going to capture them and take them back into slavery. 

But then something different happened.  God told Moses to stretch out his hand and when he did, God brought a strong wind from the east that divided the Red Sea and made it possible for the Israelites to cross on dry land.  When the Egyptians tried to follow, God removed the wind and the waters came crashing back together and the Egyptians were killed.  God used the wind to save his people. 

God has brought us through water to save us too.  When we were taken through the waters of Holy Baptism, God adopted us as his son or his daughter, he forgave our sin, gave us faith, life, and salvation.  Any time we’re unsure about our lives or salvation we can think back to our Baptism and be reminded of these good gifts that God has given to us.  So the next time you hear the wind, think about God’s saving power, about how he brought he Israelites through water for their salvation, and how he brings you through the waters of Baptism to grant you salvation.

Let us pray:

Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for taking us through the waters of Holy Baptism and for giving us the gift of faith, forgiveness, life and salvation.  Help us to always remember these good gifts that you have given to us and trust you in all things. We ask all these things in Jesus’ name,  Amen