"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
Saturday, July 8, 2023 - Day 189 - (Today’s Bible readings: Jeremiah 31:23-40; Psalm 8; Acts 19:1-10)
THE PROMISE / COVENANT
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with (my people)... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people... For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34 ESV)
We are all looking for peace and comfort in these crazy and uncertain days. In today’s reading from Jeremiah we find a promise we can hang onto:
“And I will be their God, and they shall be my people”
This is God’s covenant that He has established with all who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus for forgiveness.
“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
When did you first receive this covenant and promise from God? The answer can give you great peace in uncertain times and help you to stay calm. Remember your Baptism when God first forgave you and promised to be your God as He made you His child.
1. Baptized into Your name most holy,
O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
I claim a place, though weak and lowly,
Among Your saints, Your chosen host.
Buried with Christ and dead to sin,
Your Spirit now shall live within.
2. My loving Father, here You take me
To be henceforth Your child and heir.
My faithful Savior, here You make me
The fruit of all Your sorrows share.
O Holy Spirit, comfort me
When threat'ning clouds around I see.
3. My faithful God, You fail me never;
Your promise surely will endure.
O cast me not away forever
If words and deeds become impure.
Have mercy when I come defiled;
Forgive, lift up, restore Your child.
4. All that I am and love most dearly--
Receive it all, O Lord, from me.
Let me confess my faith sincerely;
Help me Your faithful child to be!
Let nothing that I am or own
Serve any will but Yours alone.
(“Baptized into Your Name Most Holy,” Lutheran Service Book #590)
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me of my Baptism today. May the fact that You have made me Your child cause me to be calm as I trust You to continue to lead and guide and bless me. 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 ), 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:
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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