"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 348 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 11:10-12:6; Psalm 135:13-21 Corinthians 4:1-18)
BE NEAR ME, LORD JESUS
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV)
The aging process reeks havoc on our bodies; “our outer self is wasting away.” But the child of God who spends time with the Lord regularly (Bible reading, prayer, worship, reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood), finds himself/herself renewed daily. In fact, the child of God knows that we are being prepared for eternal life with Jesus. The hymn writer put it this way:
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus! I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.
(Away In A Manger, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #364 stanza 3)
Dearest Lord Jesus, please strengthen my soul for the struggles of daily life, including the deterioration that comes with aging. Then, in Your perfect time, please take me to heaven to live with You there forever. In Your saving name, O Lord. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
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