"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 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 286 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 1:1-24; Psalm 102; Mark 6:30-44)
NOURISHMENT AND REST FOR YOUR SOUL
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. (Mark 6:32 ESV)
Jesus shows His concern for His disciples as He invites them to seek a meal and some rest.
Physical food and rest are necessary to recharge our bodies. Likewise, spiritual food and rest are necessary to recharge our souls. While the disciples went off to a desolate place for refreshment, we are called to spiritual places that are anything but desolate.
In our churches we find nourishment and rest for our souls as we listen to the One who said: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew1:29 ESV)
David echoed the blessings of our houses of worship when he wrote: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 121:1 ESV)
What makes the house of the Lord so special is that He meets us there and feeds our souls with His Word and with His Body and Blood. What blessed rest comes to those who hear His words of reconciliation and forgiveness: “Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
I love Your kingdom, Lord,
The house of Your abode,
The Church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.
(I Love Your Kingdom, Lord, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, #651 stanza 1)
Lord Jesus, thank You for the nourishment and rest You provide my soul in Your house. Let nothing keep me from the weekly treasures You serve me there in the form of Your holy Word and the Lord’s Supper. Please grant that many more people may join us in Your house this coming Lord’s day. Amen.
NOTE: This blog will take a hiatus starting Sunday, October 16 for about two weeks. Sorry for any convenience this may cause.
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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