"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 276 - (Today’s Bible readings: Amos 4:6-13; Psalm 92; Mark 1:35-2:12)
SEEK THE LORD AND LIVE
“-yet you did not return to me...
-yet you did not return to me...
-yet you did not return to me...
-yet you did not return to me...
-yet you did not return to me...
-prepare to meet you God, O Israel!
(Amos 4:6-12 ESV)
Five times the Lord attempted to bring His people to their senses so that they would return to Him. He withheld food and water. He sent blight, mildew and pestilence. He killed their young men and made their camp stink. He overthrew them as He did Sodom and Gomorrah. And they still refused to return to God! So they heard the stern warning that they would meet the judgement of God.
This shows us how serious God is about our rebellion and our sin. And yet, in chapter five He provides a way out for rebellious Israel, and for us as well:
“Seek me and live... Seek good, and not evil, that you may live, and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you.” (Amos 5:4&14 ESV)
Almighty God, thank You for the reminder that You are absolutely serious about sin. Please grant more wisdom that the Israelites had in this lesson. May the Holy Spirit move me to continually seek You and Your mercy. “Let Your holy angel be with me that the evil foe may have not power over me.” 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!
No comments:
Post a Comment