September 2, 2016: Water, Water, Everywhere

Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions.  This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on February 1, 2013.

Prayer:  Pray the following, which is the baptism prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
 
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.  Through the waters of the flood, you delivered Noah and his family, and through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom.  At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.  By the baptism of Jesus' death and resurrection you set us free from the power of sin and death and raise us up to live in you. 
 
Pour out your Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, that those who are washed in the waters of baptism may be given new life.  To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen.  
 
Reading:  Psalm 105:41 (Click to read text)
 
Stop and GROW:  After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers.

QUESTION 1:  What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text?
QUESTION 2:  What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story?
QUESTION 3:  What stories or memories does this text stir in me? 
QUESTION 4:  What is God up to in this text? 
 
Additional Questions:

1. What are some of the ways that you use water?
2. Have you seen water be destructive?
3. How have you used water as a cleansing agent?

Reflection:  It was a Saturday afternoon.  I was in my high school gymnasium, practicing with the percussion ensemble that I was part of.  We were getting ready for an upcoming competition.  Suddenly, we heard the sound of rushing water.  It was almost like a monsoon.  We looked out the doors of the gym and it was raining heavily-- inside our school.  For some reason, the sprinkler system had turned on and the hallway outside of the gym was getting soaked by the water from above. 
 
A call was made to someone who came to turn off the sprinkler.  It took several days for the carpet to dry and numerous ceiling tiles to be replaced.  In addition, a new floor had to be put in the gym since water warped the hardwood floor. 
 
It was strange to see it raining inside that day.  We were glad that we were there for practice.  Otherwise, who knows when the sprinkler activation would have been discovered and what other damage it would have done.
 
Water can be destructive, but it is also a necessity of life.  We need it to live.  However, it is also something I think people take for granted.  I often thought it times of drought what would happen if we ran out of water.  What would we do?  I'm sure that would never happen because I'm confident God would provide for us, but it is something to think about.  
 
Don't take water for granted.  Appreciate it and conserve it whenever you can.  --Chad Hershberger