Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - WRAPPED UP IN GRACE


Day 68 - (Today’s Bible readings 2 Samuel 3:1-25, Psalm 64, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

WRAPPED UP IN GRACE
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 ESV) 

Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians the same way he began it, making this epistle “wrapped up in grace.”

“To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1 ESV) 

What follows in between the first and last verses, is the good news of God’s undeserved blessings (grace) bestowed upon sinners like you and me. 

1. By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless;
    My soul, believe and doubt it not.
    Why stagger at this word of promise?
    Hath Scripture ever falsehood taught?
    No! Then this word must true remain;
     By grace you too will life obtain.

2. By grace! None dare lay claim to merit;
    Our works and conduct have no worth.
    God in His love sent our Redeemer,
    Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth;
    His death did for our sins atone,
    And we are saved by grace alone.

3. By grace God's Son, our only Savior,
    Came down to earth to bear our sin.
    Was it because of thine own merit
    That Jesus died your soul to win?
    No, it was grace, and grace alone,
    That brought Him from His heav'nly throne.

4. By grace! This ground of faith is certain;
    So long as God is true, it stands.
    What saints have penned by inspiration,
    What in His Word our God commands,
    Our faith in what our God has done
    Depends on grace--grace through His Son.

5. By grace to timid hearts that tremble,
    In tribulation's furnace tried,
    By grace, in spite of fear and trouble,
    The Father's heart is open wide.
    Where could I help and strength secure
    If grace were not my anchor sure?

6. By grace! On this I'll rest when dying;
    In Jesus' promise I rejoice;
    For though I know my heart's condition,
    I also know my Savior's voice.
    My heart is glad, all grief has flown
    Since I am saved by grace alone.
    (“By Graced I’m Saved,” Lutheran Service Book #566)

Lord God heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me, even though I do not deserve such divine kindness. Please continue to keep me wrapped up in Your grace and mercy for the rest of my life. 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 ), undergirds 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:


Then scroll down to 2022 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!

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