Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - RETURN TO THE LORD

"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 6, 2023 - Day 340  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 10:1-39; Psalm 127; Revelation 4:1-11)

RETURN TO THE LORD

“‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13 ESV)

“Return to the Lord your God” is the message John the Baptizer proclaimed in his day. His hearers desperately needed to be called to repentance so that they could receive God’s mercy and forgiveness.

“Return to the Lord your God” is the message all mankind needs to hear today! We, too, need to repent so that we can receive Christ’s steadfast love and mercy. We, too, need to have our sins forgiven. The forgiveness of our sins is how God and sinners are reconciled. Do you recall that line from “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”?

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,  join the triumph of the skies;

With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" 

("Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #380, stz 1) 

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to return to You through faith in Jesus. Please continue to be gracious and merciful to me so that I may be reconciled to You now and eternally. May others hear Your voice calling them to return to You through me. In the name of Jesus, our Advent King. Amen.  

Pastor David Paape