Old Lutherans

86. Monday after Fourth Sunday after Epiphany.

Lord of hosts, blessed is the man
that trusteth in thee.
Give us grace to do this. Amen.

Exodus 15, 1-11. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together: the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

❦

Pharaoh and his whole army were buried in the Red Sea, and Israel was delivered from bondage. The Lord had redeemed them, and betrothed himself unto his people. Jehovah is faithfulness. As his name is, so is he in very truth. He had promised the fathers to be the God of Israel; and how more than grand is his fulfillment of this promise! How great a God he is, and how mighty to save! What enemy can make headway against him? But a moment ago the situation of his people seemed absolutely desperate. The enemy was behind and on either side of them, and the sea in front of them. Every way was closed save the one leading upward to God. And, worst of all, their faith was very far from being as strong as it should have been. They cried to God; but it was the cry of despair, rather than of faith. However, they had a leader who believed. Moses said: “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” But his soul, also, was filled with sore distress. — Now the situation is changed, and they sing in a way to shake the gates of hell. The sea, which had threatened to swallow them, becomes the means of their deliverance and the grave of their enemies. On the enemy that wished to crush them the Lord has, by the waters of the sea, made manifest his power and the glory of his name. Their faith is strengthened, their hearts are full of gratitude, and songs of joy are on their lips. They have barely started on their way to Canaan, and the journey through the wilderness is before them; yet they already sing as though they had reached their destination: “Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed; thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.” Even if they yet must meet their enemies before the land shall have been won, they have no fear; for “fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.” (Verses 16-18).

Every obstacle which threatens to impede the onward march of the Lord’s people, the church of God on earth, shall be removed in due time, and they shall find an open way before them; but their enemies shall be overwhelmed. Thus it shall be in the case of the individual Christian also. When you see no way of escape save the one that leads up toward heaven, then it is as it should be. Follow that way; speak to the Lord, as did Moses, whose heart called until God said: “Wherefore criest thou unto me?” Do likewise, and the Lord shall surely save you, even though your faith be weak. You have a better advocate than Moses was. Put your trust in the Lord; this is what he wants to teach you. Then, though it be your lot to go through deep waters, you shall see his all the more glorious salvation. For “all his enemies shall perish; but they that love him shall be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.”*

Lord, thou canst help when earthly armor faileth,
Lord, thou canst save when deadly sin assaileth,
Lord, o’er thy Rock nor death nor hell prevaileth:
Grant us thy peace, Lord!

[TLH 258, ELH 439 (listen here); or LSB 659]

* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.