Wade in the Water (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 459)
Refrain:
Wade in the water, wade in the water, children,
wade in the water, God’s a-goin’a trouble the water.
1 See that host all dressed in white,
God’s a-goin’a trouble the water.
the leader looks like the Israelite,
God’s a-goin’a trouble the water. [Refrain]
2 See that band all dressed in red,
God’s a-goin’a trouble the water.
looks like the band that Moses led.
God’s a-goin’a trouble the water. [Refrain]
3 Look over yonder, what do I see?
God’s a-goin’a trouble the water.
the Holy Ghost a-coming on me,
God’s a-goin’a trouble the water. [Refrain]
4 If you don’t believe I’ve been redeemed,
God’s a-goin’a trouble the water.
just follow me down to Jordan’s stream.
God’s a-goin’a trouble the water. [Refrain]
Text and Music: African American Spiritual; Public Domain
Devotion
It is said that Harriet Tubman used the powerful words of the spiritual, “Wade in the Water,” to warn slaves on the run, escaping their captors, that danger was near. It was a signal for them to literally get into the water where the dogs in pursuit would lose their scent. The water was a place of safety for those seeking freedom. The spiritual goes on to say that God was in the water, troubling it, making something happen. For the slaves it was a miraculous happening, giving them the hope that they could be free.
For us, we wade in the waters of our baptisms, a place of safety. The Baptismal Service closes with the words, “Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” God is in our baptismal water, troubling it, making miraculous things happen. In it we are given the assurance that what Jesus did on the cross frees us from sin for time and eternity.
Prayer
Miraculous God, be with us as we face dangers in our lives. Keep us safe in the lifegiving water of baptism, troubling the waters with the miraculous word that we are marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen.