Tuesday, October 22, 2019 - I LOVE YOUR KINGDOM LORD

Day 295 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 6:31-60; Psalm 107:23-43; Mark 9:30-41)

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34 ESV)

In obedience to God’s directives, Moses oversaw the building of the tabernacle. God then occupied the tabernacle and His people were blessed.

God has commanded His people today to gather where He is present. In our churches God comes to us through the Means of Grace. No, He does not come to church in the form of a cloud, but He is there in His Word and Sacraments. And we are blessed. In church is where we receive the public proclamation of forgiveness and the comfort, strength and direction that come from His Word and the Lord’s Supper. 

The hymn writer expands this vision to include the entire Church, the one made up of all believers in Christ and only believers in Christ.

I love Your kingdom, Lord,
The house of Your abode,
The Church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.

Beyond my highest joy
I prize its heav'nly ways,
Its sweet communion, solemn vows,
Its hymns of love and praise.

I love Your Church, O God,
Your saints in ev'ry land,
Dear as the apple of Your eye,
And graven on Your hand.

For them my tears shall fall;
For them my prayers ascend;
For them my cares and toils be giv'n,
Till toils and cares shall end.

Sure as Your truth shall last,
To Zion shall be giv'n
The brightest glories earth can yield
And brighter bliss of heav'n.
(“I love Your kingdom, Lord,” Lutheran Service Book, 651)

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for keeping Your promise to be wherever two or three gather in Your name. Please grant me a hunger for Your Word, and, therefore, a great desire to worship in Your house every week.  In Jesus’ saving name I pray. 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 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!