September 14, 2018 - DEFEND YOUR PEOPLE, O GOD

Day 257 - (Today’s Bible readings: Deuteronomy 27; Psalm 74; Luke 3:18-38)

“Have regard for the covenant,
    for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.
Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame;
    let the poor and needy praise your name.
Arise, O God, defend your cause...” (Psalm 74;20-22 ESV)

“When calamity strikes, we ought to see God calling us to repentance...” 

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5 ESV)

... “In repentance, we flee to God for mercy, not because of anything in us but by what He has done for our redemption.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH, page 919)

What God the Father has done for our redemption is to defend from sin, death and the devil by sending Jesus to the cross in our place. 

Thank You Heavenly Father for defending me against all danger and guarding and protecting me from all evil. Remind today that this is all because of Your divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. It truly is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. May the Holy Spirit empower to do my duty to You who have done it all for me. 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!