January 13th - Reflection

Reading
Psalm 106:1-12 (NRSV)
God saves through water

Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
Happy are those who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times.

Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people;
help me when you deliver them;
that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
that I may glory in your heritage.

Both we and our ancestors have sinned;
we have committed iniquity, have done wickedly.
Our ancestors, when they were in Egypt,
did not consider your wonderful works;
they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
but rebelled against the Most High at the Red Sea.
Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
so that he might make known his mighty power.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry;
he led them through the deep as through a desert.
So he saved them from the hand of the foe,
and delivered them from the hand of the enemy.
The waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them was left.
Then they believed his words;
they sang his praise.


Reflection
Walking through that water of death. Coming through the sea the people were saved. Not much unlike how God has come to me in my baptism. Underneath the water, I die to my sinful self. Underneath the water, I could drown and die in my sin. But thanks be to God for His grace, I am raised from that water, and the Word of God and the Spirit of Life and the Father of Creation are pronounced above me, declaring a new life has now begun in God. A new life has begun and an old life has died. I am now a Child of God. God has claimed me and will keep me as His precious gift. In the waters I have given myself to God as His precious gift and God has given Himself to me as my most precious gift. New life begun. New growth. New service and a wonderful joy that overflows the boundaries of my soul into all the world. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I am reminded of my baptism, I give You all thanks and glory and honor and praise. You have provided me with eternal joy, for Your steadfast love endures forever! ---Amen