"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, September 15, 2023 - Day 258 - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 13; Psalm 75; 2 Timothy 1:1-18)
EVIL SEEMS TO BE WINNING, BUT...
2 “At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’” (Psalm 75:2-5 ESV)
We live in a day when the boastful seem to be gaining the upper hand. A case in point would be the instances where Christians who are attempting to follow Biblical moral values are told that they need diversity training.
The wicked enjoy immense popularity and do, in fact, “speak with haughty neck.” Look at how a scientist who believes in creation is treated by the proponents of evolution.
Paul describes what the boastful and wicked are into: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” (Galatians 5:19-21 ESV)
David’s cry to the Lord is our prayer today as well. “Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants!” (Psalm 90:13 ESV)
Here is God’s assuring answer: 2 “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. 3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars.”
1. The world is very evil,
The times are waxing late;
Be sober and keep vigil,
The Judge is at the gate;
The Judge that comes in mercy,
The Judge that comes with might,
To terminate the evil,
To diadem the right.
2. Arise, arise, good Christian,
Let right to wrong succeed;
Let penitential sorrow
To heav'nly gladness lead,
To light that hath no evening,
That knows no moon nor sun,
The light so new and golden,
The light that is but one.
5. O sweet and blessed country,
The home of God's elect!
O sweet and blessed country
That eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us
To that dear land of rest,
Who art, with God the Father
And Spirit, ever blest.
(“The World Is Very Evil,” The Lutheran Hymnal #605)
Link to this classic hymn being played and sung at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. The organist is good friend, Dr. John Behnke.
Lord God, thank You for Your promise to judge the wicked. Thank You for having pity on Your servants. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
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