"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 252 - (Today’s Bible readings: Hosea 4; Psalm 69; Romans 4:13-25)
NO PLATITUDES
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking?” (Job 4:1-2 ESV)
In chapters 4 and 5. “Eliphaz, the best friend who tries to comfort Job, only adds to Job’s misery. His ‘encouragement’ discourages Job because Eliphaz never really connects with Job or his pain. He only offers platitudes. When you reach out to a friend or family member, do not give answers that simply bandage deep hurts. Listen carefully to the sufferer and learn to share the pain. God does use adversity to discipline His people... In the midst of trial, we might doubt God’s love for us. But the cross shows us the measure of God’s love.” (Lutheran Study Bibe. CPH. 2009, page 789)
● Listen
● Pray
● Listen
● Encourage
● Listen
Lord, please make me sensitive to the pain of others, that You may use me to share Your comfort and peace with them. Remind all of us of the ultimate comfort for all pain that we find in Your cross and the gift of forgiveness. Amen.
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!
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