Wednesday, August 2, 2023 - CALLED OUT BY GOD

"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

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 - Day 214  - (Today’s Bible readings: Numbers 28; Psalm 28; John 9:24-41)

CALLED OUT BY GOD 

“And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses.” (Numbers 27:22-23 ESV)

As Moses nears the end of his life, “God raises up Joshua, one of the two spies who returned from the Promised Land with a favorable report. Today pray that the Lord would bless leaders. . . Pray that He will raise up a new and faithful generation focused on the Word of life. He is always ready to provide for His beloved flock through our Good Shepherd, Jesus.”  (Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 261)

Just as God chose Joshua to serve in his day, so He chooses us to serve Him today. We may not all be courageous leaders like Joshua. Yet the Lord has “called you out” to be His child and His servant. Your work, your vocation, your retirement, your leisure--all are opportunities to serve the One who died and rose for you.

Hark, the voice of Jesus calling,
“Who will go and work today?
Fields are white and harvests waiting—
Who will bear the sheaves away?”
Loud and long the Master calleth;
Rich reward He offers thee.
Who will answer, gladly saying,
“Here am I, send me, send me”?  

(Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling” LSB 827)

Lord of my life, as You graciously led Joshua to serve You, so lead me to serve You with the unique gifts and circumstances of my life. Thank You for the example of such service that I see in Jesus, my Savior, who came to earth to serve You by dying on the cross for all of us sinners. 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!