August 9, 2018 - FORSAKE ME NOT

Day 221 - (Today’s Bible readings: Numbers 34; Psalm 38; John 13:21-55)

Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! (Psalm 38:21-22 ESV)  

David, the Old Testament hymn writer, the one we call the Psalmist, is crying out to God for His help and His lasting presence. Below is a hymn written much later, but which also conveys a cry for help and for God’s unending presence in our lives today and in eternity.

O God, forsake me not! 
Your gracious presence lend me; 
Lord, lead Your helpless child;
Your Holy Spirit send me
That I my course may run.
O be my light, my lot, 
My staff, my rock, my shield--
O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not!
Take not Your Spirit from me;
Do not permit the might
Of sin to overcome me.
Increase my feeble faith,
Which You alone have wrought.
O be my strength and pow'r--
O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not!
Lord, hear my supplication! 
In ev'ry evil hour 
Help me resist temptation;
And when the prince of hell
My conscience seeks to blot,
Be then not far from me--
O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not!
Lord, I am Yours forever.
O keep me strong in faith
That I may leave You never.
Grant me a blessed end
When my good fight is fought;
Help me in life and death--
O God, forsake me not!
(“O God, Forsake Me Not,” Lutheran Service Book #731)

Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! In Jesus’ saving name. 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:
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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!