Words and water

     Words matter. I would guess by reading this kind of thing, you would get that.  Yet, we always have to be clear and careful about what we say and do matching our faith. This is always the issue with Judah, Israel, and our failings. So, God says harsh words of judgment and then turns to what God will do to rectify the situation.  

     Again and again, God takes care of our relationship and does the hard work of reconciling. This is a deepening of our typically shallow understanding of Baptism. God intends for healing relationships and plenty of food of water for all is the premium goal. Our connection with God and living out our covenant is to be a source of spiritually life giving water. How do you quench others thirst for living water?

Isaiah 41:14-20

Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you insect Israel! I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Now, I will make of you a threshing sledge, sharp, new, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff.You shall winnow them and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. Then you shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, so that all may see and know, all may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

O loving God,

We praise you for the gift of water. We thank you for the gift of Baptism. We adore you for coming to us repeatedly offering a way forward. You have made us into a people of hope. Be with all those in need as we lift them before you... Strengthen us to serve you faithfully in word and action. Use us to be a refreshing hope for others. In the Name of Christ, we pray. Amen.