Exodus 14:10-11,21-25
As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt?
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’
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Yes, this is a mighty and incredible thing that God does to deliver the Israelites.
Yes, God shows up in an amazing way and defeats their enemies.
Yes, God does this for us, too.
In our baptisms, God draws us through the waters and out of the reach of our enemies of sin and death. In our baptisms, we pass through the water and are threatened no more by those who would seek to destroy us. God does something miraculous, something powerful, and we are forever transformed--it not only changes our past, but it changes our destiny. For the Israelites were bound for destruction at the hands of the Egyptians, just as we were bound for death, but through the power of God we now are destined for life, for freedom.
So may we set aside our fears and remember the liberation God has given us through the waters of baptism. We are to be a free people, free from fear and free to serve Christ Jesus in all we do! Not even death can threaten us!
Blessings
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