Sunday, July 30, 2023 - LOOK FORWARD TO JOY

"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

Sunday, July 30, 2023 - Day 211  - (Today’s Bible readings:  Jeremiah 48; Psalm 30; Acts 28:11-16)

LOOK FORWARD TO JOY

Weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5b ESV)  

The Psalmist gives hope to anyone lost in life’s long night of weeping. Disappointment, disillusionment, despair, and disasters of life come to all of us at some time, resulting in weeping. But the morning also comes with its joy.

 “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  (Nehemiah 8:4b)

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12)

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  Romans 8:18)

1. Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness

    My beauty are, my glorious dress;

    Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,

    With joy shall I lift up my head.

2. Bold shall I stand in that great day,

    Cleansed and redeemed, no debt to pay; 

    Fully absolved through these I am

    From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

    (Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness, Lutheran Service Book #563 1&2)

Lord Jesus, my Savior, thank You for being the joy of my life. Help me always remember this, especially when I find myself focusing on life’s long night of weeping. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

"See" you at the Communion rail this morning!

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!