Sunday, August 4, 2019 - DELIVERANCE

Day 216 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Kings 7:3-20; Psalm 34; Matthew 17:1-21)

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:18-19 ESV)  

Have you ever been brokenhearted, crushed, and afflicted? If so, what did you do about it? The hymn writer gives us a clear and powerful answer.

   Have we trials and temptations?  
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged, 
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a Friend so faithful 
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness - 
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   (“What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #770 stanza 2)

The Lord is as near to you as a prayer. Brokenhearted, crushed, afflicted, Jesus will deliver you in His time. So, pray!

   Are we weak and heavy laden, 
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our Refuge - 
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?  
   Take it to the Lord in prayer;
   In His arms He'll take and shield thee, 
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
   (“What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #770 stanza 3)

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my deliverer. Please hear my prayer for mercy, pardon and peace. Yes, may I find eternal solace in Your shielding arms. Amen. 

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

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 2019 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!