Thursday, December 19, 2024 - PAY ATTENTION, THE LORD IS COMING

 

"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)

Thursday, December 19, 2024 - Day 353 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Micah 1-3; Rev. 10)

PAY ATTENTION, THE LORD IS COMING

“Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. For behold, the Lord is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.” (Micah 1:2-3 ESV)

“The Lord acts as a witness for the prosecution in the case against His sinful people... His coming is marked by dramatic signs in the creation, reminding us of what will happen on the Last Day. All the earth needs to take note of what happened to Israel and Judah. Our sinful actions are also witnessed by God and deserve wrathful punishment. God has shown the depth of justice in Christ Jesus who in love took on Himself God’s just wrath so that we may stand holy and righteous before Him. (Lutheran Study Bible, CPH, 2009, page 1488) 

What good news it is for us that when Jesus, the Righteous Judge, returns to earth, we will hear Him welcome us home to heaven! While we deserve to anticipate that day with great fear, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can look forward to it with great anticipation and joy! 

Once again we will sing these upon the coming of Christ, His Second Coming!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!  

Let earth receive her King;      

Let every heart prepare Him room, 

and heaven and nature sing, 

And heaven and nature sing, 

And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Heavenly Father, You call Your people to pay attention to the Second Coming of Your Son. Please keep me faithful and attentive. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape