"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
Friday, April 21, 2023 - Day 111 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicles 29:3-19; Psalm 102; Luke 13:31-14:11)
Humility or Shame?
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11)
Brewers announcer Bob Uecker made a commercial for Miller Lite where he got to speak this famous line, “I must be going to the front row!” However, where he wound up was just the opposite, up in the cheap seats, now known as the Uecker seats.
While that reference to Uecker is all humorous, there is nothing humorous about Jesus’ words. “‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.” He ties it all together in verse 11: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Paul made a big deal about humility in his letters to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. Is humility a big deal for you? While I cannot speak for you, but for me it is not that difficult to be humble. I know my short comings. Even more, I am aware of my sin, and how utterly dependant I upon God for His gift of forgiveness.
Heavenly Father, pleas keep me humble as I turn to You for forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus, my Savior and my Lord. Amen.
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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