"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 146 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Kings 2:26-46; Psalm 145:145-152; 1 John 2:1-14)
BLIND HATE
“Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:10-11 ESV)
Activity contrary to John’s clear intent in these verses is rampant in this hate-filled world of ours. We see this in on our streets. We see this on the job. We see this in our families. Unfortunately we see it everywhere in our culture as people act hateful toward one another simply because they do not share the same point of view.
If you were to ask people if they would rather abide in the light of God’s love instead of stumbling around in the darkness of hate, a good number would choose the light. However so many do choose darkness instead. The overwhelming truth is that Jesus, the light of the world, wants to shine the light of His love into the hearts of all people.
1. Love in Christ is strong and living,
Binding faithful hearts in one;
Love in Christ is true and giving,
May His will in us be done.
2. Love is patient and forbearing,
Clothed in Christ’s humility,
Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring,
Reaching out in charity.
3. Love in Christ abides forever,
Fainting not when ills attend;
Love, forgiving and forgiven,
Shall endure until life’s end.
(“Love in Christ Is Strong and Living", Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #706)
Heavenly Father, thank You for delivering us from blind hate by means of the hate-conquering love of Jesus. As He has showered His love upon me, may I learn to love others - in His name. Please grant Your peace to all places on this earth where hatred is destroying relationships among people. In Jesus’ loving 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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