"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 163 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Kings 11:1-22; Psalm 131; Revelation 4:1-11)
REMAIN FAITHFUL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
“For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God.” (1 Kings 11:4 ESV)
Solomon’s gift of wisdom did not last his entire life. In his old age he fell away from God. Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s servants, was sent to declare God’s judgment on Solomon. His kingdom would be ripped from his hands.
The message is clear. Listen to Jesus: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10 ESV) Chase after other gods, and you will lose far more than an earthly kingdom. For Jesus is the only way, truth and light. No one can get to heaven without trusting in Him as Lord and Savior.
God has graciously given us antidotes to “turning away our hearts after other gods.” We find them in church where He comes to us in His Word and Sacrament. We find them in daily study of God’s Word and in daily prayer.
Lord, please protect me from the fate of Solomon. Keep me faithful by weekly worship and daily devotion to You. Use me to help others, especially those who are older, to be ready for heaven. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
No comments:
Post a Comment