"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 125 - (Today’s Bible readings: Proverbs 15; Psalm 116; James 1:19-27)
PRECIOUS DEATH
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15 ESV)
For many, death is something to be dreaded and feared. And while we Christians do a fare amount of that ourselves, the truth is that we do not have to fear death. The death of a saint (a repentant sinner declared righteous and holy by the Lord), is precious to the Lord and precious to us, since when we die trusting in Christ alone, the gates of heaven are opened. The hymn write put it this way:
Jesus lives! The victory’s won!
Death no longer can appall me;
Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done!
From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
This shall be my confidence.
(“Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won,” The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #490 stanza 1)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the confidence You have given me in Jesus’ death and resurrection. May I not be appalled about the inevitable end of my life. Yes, remind me today that the best is yet to come for me and all Christians. 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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