Friday, July 28, 2023 - WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

"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

Friday, July 28, 2023 - Day 209  - (Today’s Bible readings: Jeremiah 45; Psalm 27; Acts 27:13-38)

WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 ESV) 

You check the latest news and discover that, once again, it is not good. There is so much going on that could make us fearful about the future. Where will terrorists strike next time? What will the doctor say? Will I loose my job or keep it? 

King David was not a stranger to fearful times. Yet he knew that the only answer for security and peace is the Lord. God shines the light of His love and His gift of salvation into the lives of His people. The Lord is our stronghold, our defense, and the One who drives all fear away.

1. Oh, for a faith that will not shrink 

Tho' pressed by many a foe;

That will not tremble on the brink 

Of poverty or woe;

2. That will not murmur nor complain 

Beneath the chast'ning rod,

That in the hour of grief or pain 

Can lean upon its God;

3. A faith that shines more bright and clear 

When tempests rage without;

That, when in danger, knows no fear, 

In darkness feels no doubt;

 4. That bears unmoved the world's dread frown 

Nor heeds its scornful smile;

That sin's wild ocean cannot drown 

Nor Satan's arts beguile;

5. A faith that keeps the narrow way 

Till life's last spark is fled

And with a pure and heavenly ray 

Lights up the dying bed.

6. Lord, give us such a faith as this; 

And then, whate'er may come,

We'll taste e'en now the hallowed bliss 

Of an eternal home.

(“Oh, for a Faith That Will Not Shrink,”   The Lutheran Hymnal #396)

Lord, thank You for showing us the way of salvation in Jesus, my Savior. While world and national events may be fearful, assure me of Your presence and Your peace. 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

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!