LHM Daily Devotions - On Dry Ground

"On Dry Ground"

Jul. 1, 2019

Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in Him, who rules by His might forever.

~ Psalm 66:5-7 (ESV)

This psalm issues a command and offers an invitation. We are commanded to shout for joy to God and to give Him "glorious praise" (Psalm 66:2b). We are to give to the Creator of heaven and earth the honor due His Name. Even His enemies are summoned to acknowledge His power, although they "come cringing" before the Lord of glory (Psalm 66:3b).

In case anyone does not know the reason for the mandated praise, an invitation is extended to us all, faithful and foe alike: "Come and see what God has done" (Psalm 66:5a). We can clearly see what God has done; we have front row seats to His awesome deeds as recorded in the pages of Scripture. When God set His people free from slavery in Egypt, He did so "with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm" (Deuteronomy 5:15b). In their exodus to freedom, when Israel became trapped between the waters of the Red Sea and pharaoh's deadly chariots, God "turned the sea into dry land." Israel crossed over to safety on dry ground and the returning waters drowned the pursuing soldiers. Finally, when Israel was about to cross into the land God had promised to them, another barrier of water—this time the Jordan River—stopped them. Once again God held back the waters and Israel "passed through the river on foot," on dry ground.

We do not merely sit back and hear or read about God's awesome deeds; we live them because He carries out His mighty works in our lives as well. God's great power was hidden and, at the same time revealed, at the cross. There we see His most awesome deeds. He sent His own Son to be born among us and to take onto Himself the penalty of death we deserved because of our sin. Then, demonstrating His glorious power, God raised Jesus from the dead. Now, called by the Holy Spirit and marked with the sign of the cross, we have passed through the waters of Baptism. Buried with Christ Jesus in Baptism, we were raised to walk with Him in newness of life. And one day, according to God's perfect timing, we will walk safely with Jesus through the raging and deadly flood waters of death ... on dry ground.

THE PRAYER: Almighty God, in Your Holy Word we have seen what You have done for us. We will praise You for Your awesome deeds, now and for all eternity. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What do you think is the earth's most remarkable physical feature?
• Water features prominently in God's miracles in the Scriptures: Red Sea, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, the Mediterranean. Why do you think this is so?
• Have you ever seen God at work in your life in a huge way? How so?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What do you think is the earth's most remarkable physical feature?