"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)
Monday, August 27, 2023 - Day 239 - (Today’s Bible readings: Esther 5; Psalm 57; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16)
LORD HAVE MERCY
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalm 57:1 ESV)
What is mercy? Mercy is God’s undeserved blessing showered upon repentant sinners. Peter described God’s mercy this way: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4 ESV)
Believers in Christ have been given what we do not deserve, hope. We deserve to be hopeless, to have nothing to look forward to other than eternal damnation in hell. But, God the Father has been merciful to us.
● He sent Jesus to take our place and suffer the punishment we deserve.
● Jesus paid off your debt of sin.
● And now you have that living hope.
● Eternal life in heaven is yours for sure!
● Until then, God promises to lead and direct your life.
5. I, a sinner, come to Thee
With a penitent confession;
Savior, mercy show to me
Grant for all my sins remission.
Let these words my soul relieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
(Jesus Sinners Doth Receive, The Lutheran Hymnal #324 - 5)
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy shown me in Jesus, my Savior. Please use me to share Your mercy with others. 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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