Introduction

In 1991, while serving as the pastor of First Lutheran Church, Potter, Neb., and Grace Lutheran Church, Gurley, Neb., I prepared a second series of six daily devotions, calling the collection “Baptized in the Name: Devotions for the Harvest.” This is the third in the collection.

Reading: Exodus 14:21-25

“You led Israel by the pillar of cloud and fire through the sea, out of slavery into the freedom of the promised land.” (Martin Luther’s Flood Prayer, Holy Baptism, Lutheran Book of Worship, p. 122)

Devotion

God’s rescue of his people from slavery in Egypt forms Israel’s central experience of his grace. We too are heirs of God’s act of liberation, as we identify our Father as the one who rescued Israel from Egypt and who raised Jesus Christ from the dead by the power of their Holy Spirit.

When we feel lost and leaderless, God burns as fire by night and smokes by day so that we may follow him through the wilderness of our lives.

Our Baptism gives us the faith to see God’s guidance in our lives, even when we are hounded by the chariots of sin, death, and the devil.

Prayer

Rescuing God, we need you to lead us through the treacherous waters and the desolate wilderness of our lives. Give us faith to follow you; in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Deus