Wednesday, December 13, 2023 - PAY ATTENTION, THE LORD IS COMING

 

"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)

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 - Day 347  - (Today’s Bible readings: Zechariah 2; Psalm 134; Revelation 10:1-11)

PAY ATTENTION, THE LORD IS COMING

“Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. For behold, the Lord is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.” (Micah 1:2-3 ESV)

“The Lord acts as a witness for the prosecution in the case against His sinful people... His coming is marked by dramatic signs in the creation, reminding us of what will happen on the Last Day. All the earth needs to take note of what happened to Israel and Judah. Our sinful actions are also witnessed by God and deserve wrathful punishment. God has shown the depth of justice in Christ Jesus who in love took on Himself God’s just wrath so that we may stand holy and righteous before Him. (Lutheran Study Bible, CPH, 2009, page 1488) 

What good news it is for us that when Jesus, the Righteous Judge, returns to earth, we will hear Him welcome us home to heaven! While we deserve to anticipate that day with great fear, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can look forward to it with great anticipation and joy! 

1. The King shall come when morning dawns

    And light triumphant breaks,

    When beauty gilds the eastern hills

    And life to joy awakes.

2. Not as of old a little child,

    To bear and fight and die,

    But crowned with glory like the sun

    That lights the morning sky.

5. The King shall come when morning dawns

    And light and beauty brings.

    Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:

    Come quickly, King of kings!

    (The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns, Lutheran Service Book #348)

Heavenly Father, You call Your people to pay attention to the Second Coming of Your Son. Please keep me faithful and attentive. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape