March 28, 2018 - PREPARE TO CELEBRATE THE VICTORY

Day 87 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 15:1-21; Psalm 81; Romans 11:11–24)

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying,
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
    the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song,
    and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father's God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:1-2 ESV)

I wonder if Moses anticipated celebrating a divine victory when he got his first glimpse of Pharaoh’s entire army following the Israelites in hot pursuit. In short order, he and all of God’s people witnessed the astounding total annihilation of their enemies.

Similarly, I also wonder what was going through the minds of Jesus’ disciples that first Holy Week as they witnessed Jesus kicking the money changers out of the temple and foretelling His imminent suffering and death. Thoughts of a victory were surely the furthest thing from their minds as they witnessed Christ’s trial and crucifixion!

What goes through your mind when you experience the struggles, trials and fears of your life? How do you deal with your imperfections and weaknesses? 

We know where Holy Week is leading us. We will soon find ourselves in the upper room and the Garden of Gethsemane on Maundy Thursday, in the courtyard and on Mount Calvary on Good Friday, and waiting with the disciples on Holy Saturday. BUT SUNDAY IS COMING! Soon we will be celebrating Christ’s victory, which, by the grace of God, is also our victory.

Come to Calvary’s holy mountain,
Sinners, ruined by the Fall;
Here a pure and healing fountain
Flows to you, to me, to all,
In a full, perpetual tide,
Opened when our Savior died.
(“Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain,” Lutheran Service Book #435)

Lord Jesus, thank You for winning the victory for me over my enemies of sin, death and the devil. Bless my spiritual preparations during the rest of this Holy Week.  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 form 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!