"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)
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - Day 52 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 61:1-11; Psalm 49; Galatians 2:1-14)
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV)
Everyone would like to have a future filled with good things and hope. In these verses God is promising that His children, held captive in Babylon, will return to their homeland ... in seventy years!
The point for us is this: be patient. God has your welfare in mind. We see that clearly displayed on Jesus’ cross where He paid the price for all of your sins and thereby guarantees a future in heaven for all believers.
We are also encouraged to reach out to God in the middle of the circumstances in our own lives that hold us captive (addictions, suffering, fear, disappointment and failure). God promises to hear and to be there for all who look to Him.
“Fulfill Your plans for us, O Lord, and guide us to make plans that agree with Your will. Teach us to trust Your decisions for our lives; through Jesus Christ. Amen.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 1253)
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
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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