Read Numbers 8
Read Psalm 85
Psalm 85:8 "Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly."
In this verse we are warned not to return to folly, that is to the foolish ways of the devil, the world, and the sinful flesh. We are told repeatedly in Scripture that to be wise is to have a proper fear of the Lord. That is the beginning and the source of wisdom. And as we heed this warning we refuse to head back to sinfulness and idolatry. So, consider yourselves warned.
But what spoke to my hear today is the good news of this verse. Yes, let me hear what Yahweh God will speak. Let me listen. Let me be attentive, let me listen, let me remember. Why? Because he will speak peace to his people.
Peace. I could use a good dose of peace today. What better medicine is there? There is so much turmoil in the world: in international relations, in American politics, in the weather, in our health, in our workplaces, in our homes...there is unrest, problems, sin, and difficulties everywhere. Chances are that if you are sitting somewhere reading this blog, you could use a good dose of peace.
Well, listen to God. He is speaking peace to you. In his Holy Word he assures us that he will revive us again. He is the giver of steadfast love and faithfulness, righteousness and peace. Since all of these are his gifts, the psalmist poetically portrays them as being close and relating to one another, saying that they "meet" and "kiss." (v. 10).
Yes, all these are given to you today. And they come to you through this very Word of God. And they come to you through this Word because of the the Word Incarnate, Jesus Christ. Yes, God would be angry forever and indignant (v.5), and he would have every right to do so, if it had not been for his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life on the cross for us. He suffered the punishment of God's eternal wrath that we might be saved. For this reason alone, God has forgiven the iniquity of his people (v. 2).
I need peace today. So do you. Well, God says that he has steadfast love for us. This love is a gift. He has a gift of righteousness for us. He has a gift of faith, given to us by the Spirit. He has given us the gift of peace as well.
Peace with God. Peace in our hearts, even though we live in a world of turmoil.
And we will have "Peace at the last," as the Daily Office Compline puts it (LSB 253). Yes, we are taught to pray for our eternal rest. Pray, and have confidence! It is ours through Christ.
Pray:
"The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and peace at the last. Amen.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise to Your name, O Most High;
to herald Your love in the morning, Your truth at the close of the day." Amen.
(LSB, Compline, p. 253)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
God's House
Read Numbers 7
Read Psalm 84
"The 84th psalm is a psalm of comfort. It praises God's Word highly over all things and exhorts us to gladly give up all good things - glory, power, joy, and whatever we desire - that we may hold onto God's Word. And if we should be like the doorkeeper, that is, the least of those in the temple, this would still be far better than to sit in all the castles of the godless. For God's Word (the psalmist says) gives victory, salvation, grace, glory, and all good things. Oh, how blessed are those who believe this and then keep it!" (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 200)
Oh, to be in God's house and to hear God's word, what a joy! Like Luther I rejoice that in God's good and gracious Word he gives us grace, glory, and salvation. And in this holy week what a joy it is to be able to worship on a very solemn Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Though it is very somber, on the Word we hear on these days are packed with forgiveness and new life for us. And then to rejoice on Easter, hearing the victory we have in Christ - what a joy that is too!
Yes, my sins killed Jesus. Yet, Jesus' death is my life. What a mystery to ponder! What a message upon which to meditate! I hope you cherish Holy Week as much as I do. God bless your solemn preparation!
Ask Yourself:
What can I do this week to better meditate on Christ's passion? Meditate? Fast? Pray? Worship?
What sins have been especially harassing me lately?
What comfort can I find in Christ this week?
Pray:
"Praise and thanks to You, Lord, our God, because You have granted us Your Word which shows us the way of salvation. By Your Holy Spirit work effectually in us through this Your Word, that it may prove in us a living and fruitful seed bringing a hundredfold, and that the fruit remain to eternal life. Amen." (RTPWL, CPH, p. 201)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Psalm 84
"The 84th psalm is a psalm of comfort. It praises God's Word highly over all things and exhorts us to gladly give up all good things - glory, power, joy, and whatever we desire - that we may hold onto God's Word. And if we should be like the doorkeeper, that is, the least of those in the temple, this would still be far better than to sit in all the castles of the godless. For God's Word (the psalmist says) gives victory, salvation, grace, glory, and all good things. Oh, how blessed are those who believe this and then keep it!" (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 200)
Oh, to be in God's house and to hear God's word, what a joy! Like Luther I rejoice that in God's good and gracious Word he gives us grace, glory, and salvation. And in this holy week what a joy it is to be able to worship on a very solemn Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Though it is very somber, on the Word we hear on these days are packed with forgiveness and new life for us. And then to rejoice on Easter, hearing the victory we have in Christ - what a joy that is too!
Yes, my sins killed Jesus. Yet, Jesus' death is my life. What a mystery to ponder! What a message upon which to meditate! I hope you cherish Holy Week as much as I do. God bless your solemn preparation!
Ask Yourself:
What can I do this week to better meditate on Christ's passion? Meditate? Fast? Pray? Worship?
What sins have been especially harassing me lately?
What comfort can I find in Christ this week?
Pray:
"Praise and thanks to You, Lord, our God, because You have granted us Your Word which shows us the way of salvation. By Your Holy Spirit work effectually in us through this Your Word, that it may prove in us a living and fruitful seed bringing a hundredfold, and that the fruit remain to eternal life. Amen." (RTPWL, CPH, p. 201)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
First Commandment
I found a couple quotes to be helpful to me in my reading today. I share them with you as well. No further comment from me is necessary. So, on with the study...
Read Numbers 4
"The Lord calls the Levites to complete specific tasks. Great care is taken to protect items used in worship within the tent of meeting. Failure to respect items God had declared holy would result in immediate death (v 15). Today, God entrusts us with His Gospel message of reconciliation through His Son, Jesus Christ. That message must be kept undefiled (Gal 1:8) by proper training for ordained ministers of the Gospel (2Tm 2:2) and for all believers. Those whom the Lord calls, He also equips by grace." (TLSB p. 222)
Read Psalm 81
"The 81st psalm is a psalm of prayer. It is a song sung and preached in the harvest season at the Festival of Tabernacles, calling the people back to the First Commandment, that they should have only one God - He who had brought them out of the land of Egypt - and should praise and call on no other...This psalm teaches us to believe in Christ and cling to Him alone and never commend any work as righteous before God. We also should have our mouth full of Christ, yet we do not do this. Each one follows his own self-conceit and idol." (Reading the Psalms with Luther, p. 194).
Ok, I will add one thing so that we don't end on such a negative note. Though we have self-conceit and idols, Jesus came and gave his life for us anyway. We are forgiven our idolatry, and empowered by the Spirit to keep the 1st Commandment, that is, to fear, love, and trust in God above all else.
Pray:
"O Lord, God of all grace, anoint us with the oil of joy, causing Your Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, that he may teach us to worship You in spirit and in truth. And whenever we enter Your courts, let it be done with a joyous heart, to give glory to You, and to praise Your holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen." (Reading the Psalms with Luther, p. 196)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Numbers 4
"The Lord calls the Levites to complete specific tasks. Great care is taken to protect items used in worship within the tent of meeting. Failure to respect items God had declared holy would result in immediate death (v 15). Today, God entrusts us with His Gospel message of reconciliation through His Son, Jesus Christ. That message must be kept undefiled (Gal 1:8) by proper training for ordained ministers of the Gospel (2Tm 2:2) and for all believers. Those whom the Lord calls, He also equips by grace." (TLSB p. 222)
Read Psalm 81
"The 81st psalm is a psalm of prayer. It is a song sung and preached in the harvest season at the Festival of Tabernacles, calling the people back to the First Commandment, that they should have only one God - He who had brought them out of the land of Egypt - and should praise and call on no other...This psalm teaches us to believe in Christ and cling to Him alone and never commend any work as righteous before God. We also should have our mouth full of Christ, yet we do not do this. Each one follows his own self-conceit and idol." (Reading the Psalms with Luther, p. 194).
Ok, I will add one thing so that we don't end on such a negative note. Though we have self-conceit and idols, Jesus came and gave his life for us anyway. We are forgiven our idolatry, and empowered by the Spirit to keep the 1st Commandment, that is, to fear, love, and trust in God above all else.
Pray:
"O Lord, God of all grace, anoint us with the oil of joy, causing Your Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, that he may teach us to worship You in spirit and in truth. And whenever we enter Your courts, let it be done with a joyous heart, to give glory to You, and to praise Your holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen." (Reading the Psalms with Luther, p. 196)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Faithlessness or Trust?
Read Numbers 2
Read Psalm 79
Numbers chapters 1 and 2 show us why the book is called "numbers." The warriors of the whole nation are counted in chapter 1. And then in chapter two, God gives instructions to Israel how they are to travel and how they are to camp. When they camp, the tribes make a circle around the tabernacle. For the sake of good order they are arranged in a specific way for the protection of the people of Israel and, ultimately, for the protection of the tabernacle from defilement. So the tabernacle, the spiritual life of the people, was physically in the center of the nation.
I read Numbers 2 before I read the Psalm today, and how shocking it was to read about this gracious arrangement of Israel for their protection in Numbers and then read in the Psalm, "O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins." We have flashed forward to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC.
God had arranged for Israel's protection. Where did things fall apart? Luther puts the blame on the people of Israel. He says, "The psalm declares the punishment that follows faithlessness..." (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 184). Yes, the people had failed to trust in God, to place their faith in him, and so they fell into all kinds of idolatry and immorality.
Yet, Psalm 79 is a psalm for repentant sinners, a psalm were they (we) cry out to God to atone for our sin, wash away our iniquity, and pour out his vengeance on his (unrepentant) enemies. Though there is punishment for faithlessness, as Luther says, there is also "grace that comes with trust" (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 184), as Luther says.
In Numbers 2 we see Judah camped on the east. Perhaps this is meant to indicate that Judah is our hope. The sun rises from Judah and the light of grace shines on the nation. Our Christ, Jesus, of the tribe of Judah, is the redeemer to atone for our sins, to pour out his grace upon us, and to defeat the enemies of sin, death, and the devil.
It is because of Jesus that we can conclude Psalm 79 confidently: "But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."
So, warned against faithlessness, we are encouraged to trust - for God is gracious and compassionate.
Ask Yourself:
How have I been failing to trust God recently?
To what other sins has this been leading me? What is the warning from God today?
I can rejoice greatly in the mercy of God! How can I thank him today? What can I do to better trust him today?
Pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide,
For round us falls the eventide.
O let Your Word, that saving light,
Shine forth undimmed into the night.
In these last days of great distress
Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness
That we keep pure till life is spent
Your holy Word and sacrament. Amen.
(LSB 585:1-2)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Psalm 79
Numbers chapters 1 and 2 show us why the book is called "numbers." The warriors of the whole nation are counted in chapter 1. And then in chapter two, God gives instructions to Israel how they are to travel and how they are to camp. When they camp, the tribes make a circle around the tabernacle. For the sake of good order they are arranged in a specific way for the protection of the people of Israel and, ultimately, for the protection of the tabernacle from defilement. So the tabernacle, the spiritual life of the people, was physically in the center of the nation.
I read Numbers 2 before I read the Psalm today, and how shocking it was to read about this gracious arrangement of Israel for their protection in Numbers and then read in the Psalm, "O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins." We have flashed forward to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC.
God had arranged for Israel's protection. Where did things fall apart? Luther puts the blame on the people of Israel. He says, "The psalm declares the punishment that follows faithlessness..." (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 184). Yes, the people had failed to trust in God, to place their faith in him, and so they fell into all kinds of idolatry and immorality.
Yet, Psalm 79 is a psalm for repentant sinners, a psalm were they (we) cry out to God to atone for our sin, wash away our iniquity, and pour out his vengeance on his (unrepentant) enemies. Though there is punishment for faithlessness, as Luther says, there is also "grace that comes with trust" (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 184), as Luther says.
In Numbers 2 we see Judah camped on the east. Perhaps this is meant to indicate that Judah is our hope. The sun rises from Judah and the light of grace shines on the nation. Our Christ, Jesus, of the tribe of Judah, is the redeemer to atone for our sins, to pour out his grace upon us, and to defeat the enemies of sin, death, and the devil.
It is because of Jesus that we can conclude Psalm 79 confidently: "But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."
So, warned against faithlessness, we are encouraged to trust - for God is gracious and compassionate.
Ask Yourself:
How have I been failing to trust God recently?
To what other sins has this been leading me? What is the warning from God today?
I can rejoice greatly in the mercy of God! How can I thank him today? What can I do to better trust him today?
Pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide,
For round us falls the eventide.
O let Your Word, that saving light,
Shine forth undimmed into the night.
In these last days of great distress
Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness
That we keep pure till life is spent
Your holy Word and sacrament. Amen.
(LSB 585:1-2)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
The End of the Matter
Having finished up Leviticus, we also finish Ecclesiastes today. Tomorrow we will continue with a Psalm and a chapter of Numbers...and I think we'll continue that through the entire book of Numbers.
Read Psalm 78:1-31
Read Ecclesiastes 12
Solomon has weighed the meaning of many things. He has found many things to be empty of value. He has found that death awaits us all. He has found that this tiresome cycle of daily life does draw to an end for all of us. He has also written many Proverbs and arranged them in a book. We have already studied this book, and so we have pondered the great depth of Solomon's wisdom.
So, to summarize it all, Solomon himself gives us a sobering call to obedience. He says in these the last verses of Ecclesiastes: "13The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
There is a coming judgment. That which was wicked and vain, it will be found out, and it will be punished. The only actions that have lasting value are those things that are done out of the fear of the Lord. As Luther explained all the commandments, he put in every explanation, "We should fear and love God so that..." Yes, we should have a healthy respect and honor for the Lord and should be eager to do what he asks.
After the fall into sin, everything which the world does (including us by nature) is vanity, meaningless, and evil. Jesus Christ, however, lived with meaning and purpose, for the glory of his Father. His obedience to death and his following resurrection are what redeem us and all our activities. He saves us from vanity and wickedness. He rescues us from the grave. He rescues us from eternal damnation at the judgment.
Yes, because Jesus has forgiven us and gives us his Spirit, we can fear and love God so that we keep his commandments. These actions, then, that we do in faith are actions that will please God at the judgment.
So, redeemed by Christ Jesus, and sanctified by His Spirit, we now seek to live for God's glory. His peace and strength be with you as you live for Him!
Pray:
Pray from the heart today concerning the hope and peace you have in Jesus Christ. Thank God that He has given you meaning and purpose. Ask for his strength as you live for His glory, keeping his commandments. Ask Him to give you joy in your vocation, and wisdom as you seek to make God-pleasing decisions.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Psalm 78:1-31
Read Ecclesiastes 12
Solomon has weighed the meaning of many things. He has found many things to be empty of value. He has found that death awaits us all. He has found that this tiresome cycle of daily life does draw to an end for all of us. He has also written many Proverbs and arranged them in a book. We have already studied this book, and so we have pondered the great depth of Solomon's wisdom.
So, to summarize it all, Solomon himself gives us a sobering call to obedience. He says in these the last verses of Ecclesiastes: "13The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
There is a coming judgment. That which was wicked and vain, it will be found out, and it will be punished. The only actions that have lasting value are those things that are done out of the fear of the Lord. As Luther explained all the commandments, he put in every explanation, "We should fear and love God so that..." Yes, we should have a healthy respect and honor for the Lord and should be eager to do what he asks.
After the fall into sin, everything which the world does (including us by nature) is vanity, meaningless, and evil. Jesus Christ, however, lived with meaning and purpose, for the glory of his Father. His obedience to death and his following resurrection are what redeem us and all our activities. He saves us from vanity and wickedness. He rescues us from the grave. He rescues us from eternal damnation at the judgment.
Yes, because Jesus has forgiven us and gives us his Spirit, we can fear and love God so that we keep his commandments. These actions, then, that we do in faith are actions that will please God at the judgment.
So, redeemed by Christ Jesus, and sanctified by His Spirit, we now seek to live for God's glory. His peace and strength be with you as you live for Him!
Pray:
Pray from the heart today concerning the hope and peace you have in Jesus Christ. Thank God that He has given you meaning and purpose. Ask for his strength as you live for His glory, keeping his commandments. Ask Him to give you joy in your vocation, and wisdom as you seek to make God-pleasing decisions.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Death Comes to All
Read Leviticus 25
Read Ecclesiastes 9
Solomon forces us to consider our own mortality. This is appropriate for the believer every day of life, but also especially in this season of lent. No matter how great or strong or rich or famous we might be, death comes to all.
And then we will be forgotten, "for the memory of them is forgotten," (v. 5). Are we ready to be forgotten? It really is a humbling proposition. This is not to say that our lives haven't mattered - quite the contrary, God has used us in very important ways. But very few people actually make it into the history books, or are remembered 100 years after their death. Do you know all your great-grandparents' names? I don't.
Death is coming. And for the unbeliever, this knowledge will hopefully at some point jolt them awake so they would consider the hope Jesus Christ gives us. I hope we are ready to share the Good News when they are ready to hear it.
But also for the believer, this sobering reminder that death comes to all should remind us to place ourselves in our loving Father's hands, to trust in him, to cling firmly to our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and to have confidence in our own resurrection.
We are humbled by the reminder that we will die, but we are not hopeless. No, confident of our eternal life through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, we boldly live for the Lord in the time we have left. We are of good cheer because "God has already approved" of what we do. We enjoy our spouse, whom we love, we find joy in our labor, we work with all our might, and we are happy that even though the world might forget us, our loving Savior never will.
Pray:
"Thank You, God, that we do not see death as the end of our lives. Your promises, fulfilled in Christ, give us the sure and certain hope of being with You forever. Amen." (TLSB p. 1060).
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Ecclesiastes 9
Solomon forces us to consider our own mortality. This is appropriate for the believer every day of life, but also especially in this season of lent. No matter how great or strong or rich or famous we might be, death comes to all.
And then we will be forgotten, "for the memory of them is forgotten," (v. 5). Are we ready to be forgotten? It really is a humbling proposition. This is not to say that our lives haven't mattered - quite the contrary, God has used us in very important ways. But very few people actually make it into the history books, or are remembered 100 years after their death. Do you know all your great-grandparents' names? I don't.
Death is coming. And for the unbeliever, this knowledge will hopefully at some point jolt them awake so they would consider the hope Jesus Christ gives us. I hope we are ready to share the Good News when they are ready to hear it.
But also for the believer, this sobering reminder that death comes to all should remind us to place ourselves in our loving Father's hands, to trust in him, to cling firmly to our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and to have confidence in our own resurrection.
We are humbled by the reminder that we will die, but we are not hopeless. No, confident of our eternal life through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, we boldly live for the Lord in the time we have left. We are of good cheer because "God has already approved" of what we do. We enjoy our spouse, whom we love, we find joy in our labor, we work with all our might, and we are happy that even though the world might forget us, our loving Savior never will.
Pray:
"Thank You, God, that we do not see death as the end of our lives. Your promises, fulfilled in Christ, give us the sure and certain hope of being with You forever. Amen." (TLSB p. 1060).
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I Commend Joy
Read Leviticus 24
Read Ecclesiastes 8
It is a good thing to find joy in our vocations. Solomon proclaims a great many things to be empty and meaningless (vanity!), but he says, "I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun."
Yes, there is labor. Yes, there is the weary repetition of getting up, getting showered, eating breakfast, getting the kids ready and on the bus or in the car. There is the commute to work. There is the stress of the job. There is cooking, cleaning, maintaining, repairing, mowing the yard (yes, yard work is soon upon us). There are a thousand wearinesses in life. The same tiring routine of sleeping and waking, eating and evacuating, breathing in and breathing out.
And all would be vanity, if not for joy in Jesus Christ. And to the world, even our joy looks like vanity - for the wicked live long and some of the righteous are cut short in this life. But Solomon knows that true joy that comes from the Lord ("it will be well with those who fear God" v. 12), and this joy is not vain. It is a great gift, an incredible blessing.
One of the strengths of Lutheranism, I believe, is the understanding that our vocations are redeemed and sanctified by Christ. What I mean is that whatever is your occupation (so long as it isn't inherently sinful) can be performed now by the Christian for the glory of God. In fact, being Christians should make us better workers, because we do not steal time in laziness, we do not cheat our employer with dishonesty, and we are driven to work well, doing all things "for the glory of God."
So, what is your vocation? Are you a husband, wife, father, mother, brother, sister, worker, boss, or friend? How do you perform this vocation (or, rather, these vocations) for the glory of God? Do you perform them with joy? Of course we won't enjoy everything about our jobs, and not every task will be pure happiness to us. But can we still have joy in our toil, knowing that we suffer a little for our Lord, and we work hard for his glory? You bet we can. And Solomon says that attitude is commendable.
So, weary worker, toil on, but toil on with joy.
Pray:
Lord, there are many tasks I am asked to do everyday that I loathe. Help me to perform these tasks willingly and with great joy, knowing that I perform them to your glory. Grant me happiness in my work, and even if I should feel unsatisfied with my place and life, give me true joy in Jesus Christ so that I might cope. Help me bear this temporary burden cheerily as I look forward to the eternal life of peace, rest, and joy in heaven, through Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Ecclesiastes 8
It is a good thing to find joy in our vocations. Solomon proclaims a great many things to be empty and meaningless (vanity!), but he says, "I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun."
Yes, there is labor. Yes, there is the weary repetition of getting up, getting showered, eating breakfast, getting the kids ready and on the bus or in the car. There is the commute to work. There is the stress of the job. There is cooking, cleaning, maintaining, repairing, mowing the yard (yes, yard work is soon upon us). There are a thousand wearinesses in life. The same tiring routine of sleeping and waking, eating and evacuating, breathing in and breathing out.
And all would be vanity, if not for joy in Jesus Christ. And to the world, even our joy looks like vanity - for the wicked live long and some of the righteous are cut short in this life. But Solomon knows that true joy that comes from the Lord ("it will be well with those who fear God" v. 12), and this joy is not vain. It is a great gift, an incredible blessing.
One of the strengths of Lutheranism, I believe, is the understanding that our vocations are redeemed and sanctified by Christ. What I mean is that whatever is your occupation (so long as it isn't inherently sinful) can be performed now by the Christian for the glory of God. In fact, being Christians should make us better workers, because we do not steal time in laziness, we do not cheat our employer with dishonesty, and we are driven to work well, doing all things "for the glory of God."
So, what is your vocation? Are you a husband, wife, father, mother, brother, sister, worker, boss, or friend? How do you perform this vocation (or, rather, these vocations) for the glory of God? Do you perform them with joy? Of course we won't enjoy everything about our jobs, and not every task will be pure happiness to us. But can we still have joy in our toil, knowing that we suffer a little for our Lord, and we work hard for his glory? You bet we can. And Solomon says that attitude is commendable.
So, weary worker, toil on, but toil on with joy.
Pray:
Lord, there are many tasks I am asked to do everyday that I loathe. Help me to perform these tasks willingly and with great joy, knowing that I perform them to your glory. Grant me happiness in my work, and even if I should feel unsatisfied with my place and life, give me true joy in Jesus Christ so that I might cope. Help me bear this temporary burden cheerily as I look forward to the eternal life of peace, rest, and joy in heaven, through Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Read Leviticus 23
Read Ecclesiastes 7
There are many things to ponder in Ecclesiastes 7 today, but the verse that jumped out at me was this: 7:14 "In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him."
First, we are encouraged to be joyful in the day of prosperity. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it isn't always. Even when life is going along well for us, we can be fearful of the future, worried about sudden disaster, or concerned about what might be waiting just around the bend in the road of life. So, we might forget to be joyful. Or, (and this probably happens more often) we can be apathetic and forget to give God the thanks and praise we owe him. In the day of prosperity, let us rejoice, for it is a gift of God from his grace and mercy for us, his dearly loved children.
But then, if we accept days of joy and prosperity from him (and we should) then we should also be willing to accept the day of adversity. This seems completely contrary to our way of thinking. God is love. God gives us good gifts. God wants to help and bless his children always. Yet, God sends us adversity? Yes, he does. Many people are unwilling to accept this. In fact, when bad things come into our life we like to explain it away with the phrase, "God has allowed this in my life." But that is not how Solomon puts it. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived by the way, says that "God has made" the day of adversity.
So, shall we accept the prosperity but not the adversity? Far be it from us. Now, why God sends (or allows if you cannot talk like Solomon) certain trials, crosses, and afflictions into our lives we may not be able to say specifically. However, we can confess that God does what is good for us, that he is able to strengthen us to endure affliction, and that he seeks to make us grow.
Jesus encourages us to take up our cross and follow him. And that is difficult. Jesus certainly experienced joy in his earthly life, and he no doubt thanked his Father. But Jesus also suffered the day of adversity. And for Jesus, it meant complete abandonment, hell, and death. Because he accepted the harshest day of adversity there ever could be, we will not have to. We have eternal salvation and everlasting life promised to us through Jesus. With that future before us, what is a little hardship now? It is a small thing for me to endure for my Lord who saved me!
Ask Yourself:
What afflictions am I facing right now?
How will God strengthen me to endure? What will he use to help me?>
For what can I give God thanks and praise today?
Pray:
Lord, this I ask, O hear my plea,
Deny me not this favor:
When Satan sorely troubles me,
Then do not let me waver.
O guard me well,
My fear dispel,
Fulfill Your faithful saying:
All who believe
By grace receive
An answer to their praying.
When life's brief course on earth is run
And I this world am leaving,
Grant me to say, "Your will be done,"
Your faithful Word believing.
My dearest Friend,
I now commend
My soul into Your keeping;
From sin and hell,
And death as well,
By You the vict'ry reaping.
(LSB 758:3-4, Public Domain)
Read Ecclesiastes 7
There are many things to ponder in Ecclesiastes 7 today, but the verse that jumped out at me was this: 7:14 "In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him."
First, we are encouraged to be joyful in the day of prosperity. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it isn't always. Even when life is going along well for us, we can be fearful of the future, worried about sudden disaster, or concerned about what might be waiting just around the bend in the road of life. So, we might forget to be joyful. Or, (and this probably happens more often) we can be apathetic and forget to give God the thanks and praise we owe him. In the day of prosperity, let us rejoice, for it is a gift of God from his grace and mercy for us, his dearly loved children.
But then, if we accept days of joy and prosperity from him (and we should) then we should also be willing to accept the day of adversity. This seems completely contrary to our way of thinking. God is love. God gives us good gifts. God wants to help and bless his children always. Yet, God sends us adversity? Yes, he does. Many people are unwilling to accept this. In fact, when bad things come into our life we like to explain it away with the phrase, "God has allowed this in my life." But that is not how Solomon puts it. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived by the way, says that "God has made" the day of adversity.
So, shall we accept the prosperity but not the adversity? Far be it from us. Now, why God sends (or allows if you cannot talk like Solomon) certain trials, crosses, and afflictions into our lives we may not be able to say specifically. However, we can confess that God does what is good for us, that he is able to strengthen us to endure affliction, and that he seeks to make us grow.
Jesus encourages us to take up our cross and follow him. And that is difficult. Jesus certainly experienced joy in his earthly life, and he no doubt thanked his Father. But Jesus also suffered the day of adversity. And for Jesus, it meant complete abandonment, hell, and death. Because he accepted the harshest day of adversity there ever could be, we will not have to. We have eternal salvation and everlasting life promised to us through Jesus. With that future before us, what is a little hardship now? It is a small thing for me to endure for my Lord who saved me!
Ask Yourself:
What afflictions am I facing right now?
How will God strengthen me to endure? What will he use to help me?>
For what can I give God thanks and praise today?
Pray:
Lord, this I ask, O hear my plea,
Deny me not this favor:
When Satan sorely troubles me,
Then do not let me waver.
O guard me well,
My fear dispel,
Fulfill Your faithful saying:
All who believe
By grace receive
An answer to their praying.
When life's brief course on earth is run
And I this world am leaving,
Grant me to say, "Your will be done,"
Your faithful Word believing.
My dearest Friend,
I now commend
My soul into Your keeping;
From sin and hell,
And death as well,
By You the vict'ry reaping.
(LSB 758:3-4, Public Domain)
Monday, March 15, 2010
Meaningful Labor
Read Leviticus 22
Read Ecclesiastes 6
In Ecc. 6 Solomon ponders the value of wealth at the end of life. What does it profit in the end to have lots of possessions? What does it benefit you to have been regarded as successful in the world when you are dying? So what if you have fathered a hundred children and become wealthy and gained respect. In your dying hour you leave all that behind.
In death, the only thing that will help you is Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The salvation he earned on the cross for us gives us great comfort when we face death. And not only that, but he also gives us comfort in this life.
Sometimes all our labor can seem like great vanity. We work so we can eat, but soon we are hungry again. Our appetite is never satisfied. We work also so we can have shelter and possessions, but these eat up our attention and our energy as well. Often, many things in life can seem meaningless.
But when we are mindful of our salvation in Christ and seek to live for him, then we have purpose. And when life seems vain and empty, we can also remember the words of Solomon in the previous chapter. At the end of chapter 5 Solomon says, "Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart." (v. 18-20)
Whatever labor we are given to do, it is a gift of God to be able to enjoy that. To work for the Lord with joy in our hearts, even as we do mundane and little tasks, it is a blessing. To be happy and content with what God has given, be they few or many possessions, his also is a gift of God.
Remember these words the next time you are frustrated with life. It's helped me through some stressful times. Meaningful labor is a gift of God. Help me, O Lord, to live for you!
Pray:
"O God of all comfort, by Your Word and Holy Spirit grant us a firm, glad, and grateful faith, that by it we may overcome every trial and at length hear the Word of Your dear Son: 'Take heart; I have overcome the world.' Amen." (TLSB p. 1057)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Ecclesiastes 6
In Ecc. 6 Solomon ponders the value of wealth at the end of life. What does it profit in the end to have lots of possessions? What does it benefit you to have been regarded as successful in the world when you are dying? So what if you have fathered a hundred children and become wealthy and gained respect. In your dying hour you leave all that behind.
In death, the only thing that will help you is Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The salvation he earned on the cross for us gives us great comfort when we face death. And not only that, but he also gives us comfort in this life.
Sometimes all our labor can seem like great vanity. We work so we can eat, but soon we are hungry again. Our appetite is never satisfied. We work also so we can have shelter and possessions, but these eat up our attention and our energy as well. Often, many things in life can seem meaningless.
But when we are mindful of our salvation in Christ and seek to live for him, then we have purpose. And when life seems vain and empty, we can also remember the words of Solomon in the previous chapter. At the end of chapter 5 Solomon says, "Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart." (v. 18-20)
Whatever labor we are given to do, it is a gift of God to be able to enjoy that. To work for the Lord with joy in our hearts, even as we do mundane and little tasks, it is a blessing. To be happy and content with what God has given, be they few or many possessions, his also is a gift of God.
Remember these words the next time you are frustrated with life. It's helped me through some stressful times. Meaningful labor is a gift of God. Help me, O Lord, to live for you!
Pray:
"O God of all comfort, by Your Word and Holy Spirit grant us a firm, glad, and grateful faith, that by it we may overcome every trial and at length hear the Word of Your dear Son: 'Take heart; I have overcome the world.' Amen." (TLSB p. 1057)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sorry for not being as regular with my comments. The most important thing for each of you is to read the Word of God anyway. But I'm finally getting on top of my additional Lent work, so I will seek to be more regular with my devotional thoughts. Study. Ponder. Meditate. Pray. God has Good News for us!
Read Leviticus 19
Read Ecclesiastes 3
Read Leviticus 19
Read Ecclesiastes 3
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A New Thing
Read Leviticus 17
Read Ecclesiastes 1
I love the book of Ecclesiastes. I like to think of it as a midlife-crisis (or even an end-of-life crisis) book. It shocks us out of complacency. Written by Solomon, the wisest man to live, we wouldn't expect the book to call wisdom, learning, and study vanity. But he does.
Now, before we conclude that all his hopeless (and that we should be anti-academic) the sulking Solomon will come back around by the end of the book and give us meaning, purpose, and something positive to hang onto.
But today we are encouraged to consider the seemingly endless nature of the earth. Compared to the short life of a man, the goes on and on, in fact in a poetic exaggeration Solomon says that the earth endures forever. Think of the constant hydrologic cycle. The water evaporates, condenses, falls to the earth, flows to the ocean, and then evaporates up again.
Life continues on as it has for years and years, thousands of years. Unless God ends it all, it will continue on and on long after us. Solomon claims that there is nothing new under the sun (v. 9). Then he challenges us, "Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'?" (v. 10).
It doesn't seem so. In fact, in Solomon's day, no there wasn't.
But God says later through the prophet Isaiah, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (43:19). Elsewhere God would also say through Isaiah that he was proclaiming "new things, hidden things" (48:6), and that he would make a "new heavens and a new earth" (65:17).
We understand from the rest of Scripture that this is fulfilled in Jesus. What a new thing God has done to rescue us from all the vanity of our sin-fallen existence! God becomes incarnate. God suffers death. God rises from the dead. God forgives our sin!
This is always and forever the source of our "new song" (Psalm 98:1). Thanks be to God!
Pray: (adapted from Psalm 98:1-3)
I sing to You LORD a new song,
for You has done marvelous things!
Your right hand and Your holy arm
have worked salvation for You.
You, LORD, have made known Your salvation;
You have revealed Your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
You have remembered Your steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
Your salvation, O Lord our God. Amen.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Ecclesiastes 1
I love the book of Ecclesiastes. I like to think of it as a midlife-crisis (or even an end-of-life crisis) book. It shocks us out of complacency. Written by Solomon, the wisest man to live, we wouldn't expect the book to call wisdom, learning, and study vanity. But he does.
Now, before we conclude that all his hopeless (and that we should be anti-academic) the sulking Solomon will come back around by the end of the book and give us meaning, purpose, and something positive to hang onto.
But today we are encouraged to consider the seemingly endless nature of the earth. Compared to the short life of a man, the goes on and on, in fact in a poetic exaggeration Solomon says that the earth endures forever. Think of the constant hydrologic cycle. The water evaporates, condenses, falls to the earth, flows to the ocean, and then evaporates up again.
Life continues on as it has for years and years, thousands of years. Unless God ends it all, it will continue on and on long after us. Solomon claims that there is nothing new under the sun (v. 9). Then he challenges us, "Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'?" (v. 10).
It doesn't seem so. In fact, in Solomon's day, no there wasn't.
But God says later through the prophet Isaiah, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (43:19). Elsewhere God would also say through Isaiah that he was proclaiming "new things, hidden things" (48:6), and that he would make a "new heavens and a new earth" (65:17).
We understand from the rest of Scripture that this is fulfilled in Jesus. What a new thing God has done to rescue us from all the vanity of our sin-fallen existence! God becomes incarnate. God suffers death. God rises from the dead. God forgives our sin!
This is always and forever the source of our "new song" (Psalm 98:1). Thanks be to God!
Pray: (adapted from Psalm 98:1-3)
I sing to You LORD a new song,
for You has done marvelous things!
Your right hand and Your holy arm
have worked salvation for You.
You, LORD, have made known Your salvation;
You have revealed Your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
You have remembered Your steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
Your salvation, O Lord our God. Amen.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Scapegoat
Today we conclude Romans. What a wonderful blessing it has been to study this book! In Leviticus we see how God demands perfection, cleanliness, purity - and he still does demand them. But we also see from reading Romans how that demand is met in Christ, and then his righteousness is imputed to us (that is, it is put into us). We will continue our study of Leviticus until its conclusion, but now we'll make a bit of a shift and study Ecclesiastes along with. But on with our study of the day:
Read Leviticus 16
Read Romans 16
Some people dwell on the word "Azazel" in Leviticus 16 a bit. Some have believed this to be the name of a demon. If memory serves me correctly, this was the name given to the demon in the movie "Fallen." Others have suggested it is the name of a place - and maybe not just one place - but the name of a place of uncleanness and impurity that exists outside the holy camp area. This is probably a better understanding.
The Lutheran Study Bible explains that the Hebrew saying, "Go to Azazel" was like saying, "Go to hell." After all, look what happened to the scapegoat. The sins of the people were put on that goat, and then it was taken outside of the camp to be alone. Alone. In the wilderness. Certain doom.
On the Day of Atonement, both goats - the one slaughtered and the one let go in the wilderness - serve to appease the wrath of God. Both pointed forward to Christ.
We often think of Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. We do well also to think of him as the scapegoat. He took all our sins upon himself. We was then sent to suffer alone on the cross. Alone. Separated from his Father. Certain doom. Hell.
That's what our sin deserves. How dare we ever take sin lightly! The season of Lent reminds us to repent, and many of our sermon themes drive the point home. How appropriate. It's too easy to be comfortable with sin in the privacy of my own home or own mind. How uncomfortable with sin I become when I hear my Lord crying out all alone and in suffering, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
But as stricken with guilt as I am, I ought to be that much more comforted. For Christ arose. His death is my dying to sin. His rising is my rising to new life, even eternal life.
The scapegoat is sent away and the goat for the sacrifice is offered up, and the nation of Israel is spared. So also Jesus suffers alone, Jesus is the bloody sacrifice, and I am forgiven.
Lord, help me to live for you!
Ask Yourself:
How do I forget to take sin seriously?
What sins do I feel comfortable committing? What sins do I tolerate in others?
What can I do today to turn away from sin?
Pray:
"We give You thanks, Lord, for Your abundant mercy. You heard Your people's prayers of repentance and sent Your precious Son to die for all. By His Blood, we are made clean and enter into eternal life with You. Amen." (TLSB p. 190).
Study Ecclesiastes and Leviticus with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Leviticus 16
Read Romans 16
Some people dwell on the word "Azazel" in Leviticus 16 a bit. Some have believed this to be the name of a demon. If memory serves me correctly, this was the name given to the demon in the movie "Fallen." Others have suggested it is the name of a place - and maybe not just one place - but the name of a place of uncleanness and impurity that exists outside the holy camp area. This is probably a better understanding.
The Lutheran Study Bible explains that the Hebrew saying, "Go to Azazel" was like saying, "Go to hell." After all, look what happened to the scapegoat. The sins of the people were put on that goat, and then it was taken outside of the camp to be alone. Alone. In the wilderness. Certain doom.
On the Day of Atonement, both goats - the one slaughtered and the one let go in the wilderness - serve to appease the wrath of God. Both pointed forward to Christ.
We often think of Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. We do well also to think of him as the scapegoat. He took all our sins upon himself. We was then sent to suffer alone on the cross. Alone. Separated from his Father. Certain doom. Hell.
That's what our sin deserves. How dare we ever take sin lightly! The season of Lent reminds us to repent, and many of our sermon themes drive the point home. How appropriate. It's too easy to be comfortable with sin in the privacy of my own home or own mind. How uncomfortable with sin I become when I hear my Lord crying out all alone and in suffering, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
But as stricken with guilt as I am, I ought to be that much more comforted. For Christ arose. His death is my dying to sin. His rising is my rising to new life, even eternal life.
The scapegoat is sent away and the goat for the sacrifice is offered up, and the nation of Israel is spared. So also Jesus suffers alone, Jesus is the bloody sacrifice, and I am forgiven.
Lord, help me to live for you!
Ask Yourself:
How do I forget to take sin seriously?
What sins do I feel comfortable committing? What sins do I tolerate in others?
What can I do today to turn away from sin?
Pray:
"We give You thanks, Lord, for Your abundant mercy. You heard Your people's prayers of repentance and sent Your precious Son to die for all. By His Blood, we are made clean and enter into eternal life with You. Amen." (TLSB p. 190).
Study Ecclesiastes and Leviticus with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Judging Others
Read Leviticus 14
Read Romans 14
The Christians in Rome during Paul's time had to struggle with how they were supposed to live for Christ. The Jewish Christians had a rich heritage, the Old Testament Scriptures. They had to come to grips with the fact that they were saved by grace through faith, the same way Gentiles were saved. They had to change their thinking so that they would see old laws and practices fulfilled in Christ. Paul assures them in this chapter that it is acceptable to retain some of their former practices, but to realize that they are not required. And the gentiles practiced their faith differently.
So, on what day should they worship? Saturday? Sunday? Should they observe Jewish "holy days"? Should they follow Jewish dietary laws, or should they eat anything and everything as the Gentiles did?
And more than that, how do they coexist with their different, Christian practices?
Paul spends the first part of this chapter exhorting Christians not to be judgmental of each other. We should clarify that we are not talking about practices that are against God's Word. If someone is living contrary to the Will of God, we have the duty to use the Word to call them to repentance and faith. However, when it comes to matters that are not commanded or forbidden in Scripture, we are not to judge. We live out our faith careful not to violate our sanctified conscience, knowing that we are accountable to God. We encourage others to live the same way, but we are careful not to pass judgment on them. We don't always know their motivations. We never know everything another person is thinking, feeling, enduring, going through. We are all servants. Let the master judge.
Then, after the first part where Paul commands us not to judge, he then takes it farther to say that we should be careful not to offend or harm the faith of another. So, not only are we not to judge, but we are to inconvenience ourselves not to cause spiritual harm to another. If we live in love (as Paul encouraged in the previous chapter), then we will be careful to be encouraging, kind, patient, seeking their best interest, helpful, and building up.
Paul has good advice for us today. I am glad that Jesus refused to judge me, but chose to be judged unfairly and to die for me.
If you struggle against sin as I do, the pray with me:
Lord, it is so easy for me to judge others. I seem to think that I know their sinful motivations, but it is so hard for me to see how they are living out their faith. I never tolerate it when others offend me, but I have no problem causing offense. Too often I see my brother or sister in Christ as my enemy, rather than sin, death, and the devil. Help me, Lord, to be loving and patient and kind always. Lord, have mercy.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Read Romans 14
The Christians in Rome during Paul's time had to struggle with how they were supposed to live for Christ. The Jewish Christians had a rich heritage, the Old Testament Scriptures. They had to come to grips with the fact that they were saved by grace through faith, the same way Gentiles were saved. They had to change their thinking so that they would see old laws and practices fulfilled in Christ. Paul assures them in this chapter that it is acceptable to retain some of their former practices, but to realize that they are not required. And the gentiles practiced their faith differently.
So, on what day should they worship? Saturday? Sunday? Should they observe Jewish "holy days"? Should they follow Jewish dietary laws, or should they eat anything and everything as the Gentiles did?
And more than that, how do they coexist with their different, Christian practices?
Paul spends the first part of this chapter exhorting Christians not to be judgmental of each other. We should clarify that we are not talking about practices that are against God's Word. If someone is living contrary to the Will of God, we have the duty to use the Word to call them to repentance and faith. However, when it comes to matters that are not commanded or forbidden in Scripture, we are not to judge. We live out our faith careful not to violate our sanctified conscience, knowing that we are accountable to God. We encourage others to live the same way, but we are careful not to pass judgment on them. We don't always know their motivations. We never know everything another person is thinking, feeling, enduring, going through. We are all servants. Let the master judge.
Then, after the first part where Paul commands us not to judge, he then takes it farther to say that we should be careful not to offend or harm the faith of another. So, not only are we not to judge, but we are to inconvenience ourselves not to cause spiritual harm to another. If we live in love (as Paul encouraged in the previous chapter), then we will be careful to be encouraging, kind, patient, seeking their best interest, helpful, and building up.
Paul has good advice for us today. I am glad that Jesus refused to judge me, but chose to be judged unfairly and to die for me.
If you struggle against sin as I do, the pray with me:
Lord, it is so easy for me to judge others. I seem to think that I know their sinful motivations, but it is so hard for me to see how they are living out their faith. I never tolerate it when others offend me, but I have no problem causing offense. Too often I see my brother or sister in Christ as my enemy, rather than sin, death, and the devil. Help me, Lord, to be loving and patient and kind always. Lord, have mercy.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Love
Read Leviticus 13
Read Romans 13
If we could love perfectly, we would keep the Commands of God perfectly. Jesus says this, though not with the exact same words. Jesus says that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. The second greatest commandment is like it, love your neighbor as yourself. With these two commands, Jesus summarizes the first table of the Law (commandments 1-3) as "Love God," and the second table (commandments 4-10) as "Love your neighbor."
Paul summarizes further. He says that love does no wrong to the neighbor, therefore, "Love is the fulfilling of the law."
If we could love perfectly, we would have no fear of punishment from God. If we could love perfectly we would never fear (just) punishment from civil authorities and government.
If I could love perfectly, I'd be able to serve my wife more, give myself to her as Christ gave himself for us (the Church). If I could love perfectly I would be more patient with my children and bring them up better in the training and instruction of the Lord. If I could love perfectly I would better follow up on church members because they would be on my heart and mind, not on some lost to-do list. If I could love perfectly...
How thankful I am that I have a perfectly loving Savior to love me first, and to continue to love me though I fall far short time and time again - and not just short in the love I show to my neighbors, but in the love I show to Him. If God were to examine my heart like the priests examined leprous spots (Leviticus 13), I would surely be found unclean!
But my Savior, in great undying love for me, shed his blood to cleanse me. Now Jesus, the Great High Priest, declares me clean! And, by the power of His Spirit, he renews my heart.
Now I can live for the Lord. Though I may be frustrated with governing authorities, I can now see that they are God's servants, and I must pay the taxes, honor, and respect that I owe (v. 1-7). And though it may be difficult, I look with caring eyes upon all people and cause them no harm, take nothing from them, but rather serve them and show them love (v. 8-10). And though the world tempts me, I can say no to all the empty pleasure and sinful seductions of this world for my own good and for the good of my neighbor (v. 11-13).
Yes, we have "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14) in baptism, therefore everyday we can remind ourselves not to gratify the desires of the flesh, but to live for God's glory.
Ask Yourself:
Whom do you find it difficult to love?
Is it your sin or the other person's that makes it difficult to love them? Did my sin keep Jesus from loving me?
How can I love that person today?
Pray:
"Father, You have loved me in Christ and declared me to be Your righteous child. Empower me to love and serve others through Christ. Amen." (TLSB p. 1937)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Romans 13
If we could love perfectly, we would keep the Commands of God perfectly. Jesus says this, though not with the exact same words. Jesus says that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. The second greatest commandment is like it, love your neighbor as yourself. With these two commands, Jesus summarizes the first table of the Law (commandments 1-3) as "Love God," and the second table (commandments 4-10) as "Love your neighbor."
Paul summarizes further. He says that love does no wrong to the neighbor, therefore, "Love is the fulfilling of the law."
If we could love perfectly, we would have no fear of punishment from God. If we could love perfectly we would never fear (just) punishment from civil authorities and government.
If I could love perfectly, I'd be able to serve my wife more, give myself to her as Christ gave himself for us (the Church). If I could love perfectly I would be more patient with my children and bring them up better in the training and instruction of the Lord. If I could love perfectly I would better follow up on church members because they would be on my heart and mind, not on some lost to-do list. If I could love perfectly...
How thankful I am that I have a perfectly loving Savior to love me first, and to continue to love me though I fall far short time and time again - and not just short in the love I show to my neighbors, but in the love I show to Him. If God were to examine my heart like the priests examined leprous spots (Leviticus 13), I would surely be found unclean!
But my Savior, in great undying love for me, shed his blood to cleanse me. Now Jesus, the Great High Priest, declares me clean! And, by the power of His Spirit, he renews my heart.
Now I can live for the Lord. Though I may be frustrated with governing authorities, I can now see that they are God's servants, and I must pay the taxes, honor, and respect that I owe (v. 1-7). And though it may be difficult, I look with caring eyes upon all people and cause them no harm, take nothing from them, but rather serve them and show them love (v. 8-10). And though the world tempts me, I can say no to all the empty pleasure and sinful seductions of this world for my own good and for the good of my neighbor (v. 11-13).
Yes, we have "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14) in baptism, therefore everyday we can remind ourselves not to gratify the desires of the flesh, but to live for God's glory.
Ask Yourself:
Whom do you find it difficult to love?
Is it your sin or the other person's that makes it difficult to love them? Did my sin keep Jesus from loving me?
How can I love that person today?
Pray:
"Father, You have loved me in Christ and declared me to be Your righteous child. Empower me to love and serve others through Christ. Amen." (TLSB p. 1937)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Living Sacrifices
Read Leviticus 12
Read Romans 12
What incredible instructions for holy living in Romans 12! May we all take time to apply it to our lives today.
Read Romans 12
What incredible instructions for holy living in Romans 12! May we all take time to apply it to our lives today.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Depth of the Wisdom of God!
Read Leviticus 11
Read Romans 11
Why did God choose Abram to be the father of a nation? Why did God choose Issac instead of Ishmael? Why did God choose Jacob instead of Esau? Why did God choose to bring salvation to the Jewish people? Why did God choose to bring salvation to the Gentiles through the Jews (the Jews who were blessed to be a blessing to the whole earth, by the way)?
I can't explain why God choose to bring about salvation in this way. No sooner can I explain why in Leviticus 11 God decides some animals are clean to eat, and some must not even be touched. Later would reveal to the Apostle Peter that all things are now clean to eat. There is considerable freedom in Christ. But why the temporary restriction? Who can say?
It's better off that we don't dabble in speculation. Paul sets out how the salvation works. And then he encourages us to leave the "why" up to God and to respond, rather, with faith. Paul says, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" (v. 33-35).
We don't give God a gift of works or of righteousness. Rather, he is the one who has given us a gift, a gift that is grasped by faith. In this way, we are children of Abraham. Paul has made it clear that we are heirs of salvation not because of a bloodline (9:6-7), nor by works (11:5-6), but by grace. We, who are children of Abraham by faith, are heirs of salvation. We have been grafted into the family tree of God's people. Those who do not believe are broken off (11:20). But all who believe are grafted in, both Jew and Gentile (11:24).
(By the way, the notion that all Jewish people will be saved because they are Jewish is a misunderstanding of 11:12 and 26. When we examine these verses in light of the rest of Romans, especially Romans 9-11, then we see that salvation comes by grace through faith alone, not by being a certain nationality or performing certain rituals. Jewish and Gentile believers are the "New Israel," that is, the Church - in this way all Israel will be saved.)
So, why God does things a certain way, I cannot answer. But I don't need to. I simply rejoice in the salvation that was won for me on the cross of Christ, salvation promised to me in my baptism, salvation reassured to me every time I hear the Gospel and receive the Eucharist, salvation that gives me great joy and hope and life.
How can we not all rejoice with Paul, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen!" (11:36).
Pray:
O God, grant me the strength of faith to confess with the hymn:
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
Faith sees a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev’ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain
You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessings on your head.
(LSB 765, Public Domain)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Romans 11
Why did God choose Abram to be the father of a nation? Why did God choose Issac instead of Ishmael? Why did God choose Jacob instead of Esau? Why did God choose to bring salvation to the Jewish people? Why did God choose to bring salvation to the Gentiles through the Jews (the Jews who were blessed to be a blessing to the whole earth, by the way)?
I can't explain why God choose to bring about salvation in this way. No sooner can I explain why in Leviticus 11 God decides some animals are clean to eat, and some must not even be touched. Later would reveal to the Apostle Peter that all things are now clean to eat. There is considerable freedom in Christ. But why the temporary restriction? Who can say?
It's better off that we don't dabble in speculation. Paul sets out how the salvation works. And then he encourages us to leave the "why" up to God and to respond, rather, with faith. Paul says, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" (v. 33-35).
We don't give God a gift of works or of righteousness. Rather, he is the one who has given us a gift, a gift that is grasped by faith. In this way, we are children of Abraham. Paul has made it clear that we are heirs of salvation not because of a bloodline (9:6-7), nor by works (11:5-6), but by grace. We, who are children of Abraham by faith, are heirs of salvation. We have been grafted into the family tree of God's people. Those who do not believe are broken off (11:20). But all who believe are grafted in, both Jew and Gentile (11:24).
(By the way, the notion that all Jewish people will be saved because they are Jewish is a misunderstanding of 11:12 and 26. When we examine these verses in light of the rest of Romans, especially Romans 9-11, then we see that salvation comes by grace through faith alone, not by being a certain nationality or performing certain rituals. Jewish and Gentile believers are the "New Israel," that is, the Church - in this way all Israel will be saved.)
So, why God does things a certain way, I cannot answer. But I don't need to. I simply rejoice in the salvation that was won for me on the cross of Christ, salvation promised to me in my baptism, salvation reassured to me every time I hear the Gospel and receive the Eucharist, salvation that gives me great joy and hope and life.
How can we not all rejoice with Paul, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen!" (11:36).
Pray:
O God, grant me the strength of faith to confess with the hymn:
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
Faith sees a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev’ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain
You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessings on your head.
(LSB 765, Public Domain)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Faith By Hearing
Read Leviticus 10
Read Romans 10
What great encouragement lies in this chapter. Encouragement to remind us of our own salvation. Encouragement then also to carry the Gospel to others.
Paul (as he likes to do) reminds us again that salvation comes not by works. The one who relies on their works claims in a sense that they are able to ascend into heaven to bring Christ to earth, or to descend to the abyss to raise up Christ from the dead. This, of course, is not possible for anyone to do save God alone. But just as absurd as that thought is, so it is absurd to believe that we can merit our own salvation.
That's a good thing to remember next time we have a hard time calling sins to mind. Yes, even we Lutherans who have "saved by grace" hammered into our heads can get caught up in thinking how great and wonderful and holy we are. But we are nothing, except for what Christ is in us.
But here is the encouragement. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. One of the Lutheran "sola" statements, we rejoice that we are saved "sola fide," that is, by faith alone.
This then motivates us to reach out to others. For we have the Word of Christ in us. It is in our mouths, even on our unholy lips. Yes, the Holy Spirit cleanses our sin and purifies us to speak God's Holy Word to others.
And this Word has power. It can make the dead to live, and the decaying regenerate. This is why Paul challenges us to think about how people can believe if they don't hear this Word. How can they hear unless someone speaks it to them? And how will we speak it unless we are sent.
Indeed, we are sent. Jesus tells us to "Make disciples of all nations" by baptizing and teaching.
So, we go and speak the Word to those around us. You can call it a command if you like. I call it an reminder to seize every opportunity!
Ask Yourself:
Why is it easy to speak the Word to some people, but difficult to others?
Is there anything I can do to make it easier to witness in those difficult circumstances?
Pray:
"We praise You, O Lord, for welcoming us through the words of all those who bring to us the Good News of Your love. Place that faith-creating Word on our lips, that we may speak to those who have not yet heard or believed. Amen." (TLSB p. 1931)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Romans 10
What great encouragement lies in this chapter. Encouragement to remind us of our own salvation. Encouragement then also to carry the Gospel to others.
Paul (as he likes to do) reminds us again that salvation comes not by works. The one who relies on their works claims in a sense that they are able to ascend into heaven to bring Christ to earth, or to descend to the abyss to raise up Christ from the dead. This, of course, is not possible for anyone to do save God alone. But just as absurd as that thought is, so it is absurd to believe that we can merit our own salvation.
That's a good thing to remember next time we have a hard time calling sins to mind. Yes, even we Lutherans who have "saved by grace" hammered into our heads can get caught up in thinking how great and wonderful and holy we are. But we are nothing, except for what Christ is in us.
But here is the encouragement. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. One of the Lutheran "sola" statements, we rejoice that we are saved "sola fide," that is, by faith alone.
This then motivates us to reach out to others. For we have the Word of Christ in us. It is in our mouths, even on our unholy lips. Yes, the Holy Spirit cleanses our sin and purifies us to speak God's Holy Word to others.
And this Word has power. It can make the dead to live, and the decaying regenerate. This is why Paul challenges us to think about how people can believe if they don't hear this Word. How can they hear unless someone speaks it to them? And how will we speak it unless we are sent.
Indeed, we are sent. Jesus tells us to "Make disciples of all nations" by baptizing and teaching.
So, we go and speak the Word to those around us. You can call it a command if you like. I call it an reminder to seize every opportunity!
Ask Yourself:
Why is it easy to speak the Word to some people, but difficult to others?
Is there anything I can do to make it easier to witness in those difficult circumstances?
Pray:
"We praise You, O Lord, for welcoming us through the words of all those who bring to us the Good News of Your love. Place that faith-creating Word on our lips, that we may speak to those who have not yet heard or believed. Amen." (TLSB p. 1931)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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