The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: John 4:27-38

“Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians.”
Exodus 14:26

Using God’s Resources

The sea was before the Israelites, and the Egyptian army was behind them. The hills cut off escape on the sides. Yet the word they heard from God, through Moses was “fear not!”
How often it seems to us that the challenges of life are too much. We rest fairly secure when we have resources of our own to overcome our problems. But there comes a time, when, in Luther’s words; “with might of ours can naught be done.” And what we do as the Church often seems to fail. We view the world, and feel that the progress of the Gospel is so slow. We try to share Christ with a friend and get nowhere. The opportunities are so great, but our efforts seem so small. Then the Lord comes to us and says, “fear not!” He invites us to use His resources. He gives us life and salvation. He gives us hope for the future. He gives us the power and resources for every challenge of life. This is all available because God sent his son Jesus Christ into the world to lay down His life on the cross so that we might have life and hope. God’s resources are never exhausted.
Lord, give us the faith and wisdom to turn to You at all times; and use what You supply, the Word of God and the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Supper. Amen.

January 27, 1973