Christ
the Crucified Comes to Save Us by the Word of Faith
The Lord who “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4) is the Author and
Giver of life who governs all things by His Word. His wisdom and power are
beyond our understanding, except as He reveals Himself in the incarnate Word,
Christ Jesus. He has “entered into the
springs of the sea” and “walked in
the recesses of the deep” (Job 38:16), and He draws near to us in mercy. We
have been “a long way from the land,
beaten by the waves,” and tossed about by hostile winds (Matthew 14:24). In
our mortality and sinful unbelief, we do not always recognize the Lord Jesus.
But as we cry out in fear, He speaks tenderly to us: “Do not be afraid,” and He reaches out His hand to save us (Matthew
14:27, 31). “Everyone who calls on the
name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13), and now we call upon Him in
faith, because we have heard “through the
Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). “The
Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10:8).
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Time in the Word
07-12 August 2023
Preparation for next week, Proper 14
07-12 August 2023
Preparation for next week, Proper 14
Monday, 07 August 2023—Psalm 34:4–8 ; Antiphon, Psalm 34:1 —1 Samuel 21:10–15 provides
the background story to this psalm. David, the one chosen by God to be king, in
a moment of weakness when pursued by King Saul and his armies, sought refuge
with the Philistines, the enemy of Israel. David realized his mistake and the
truth of what he declares in verse 8:Blessed is the man who takes refuge in
the Lord! When we are tempted
to look elsewhere than to the Lord
for rescue, let us also remember this psalm of David, and then bless the Lord at all times.
Tuesday, 08 August 2023—Psalm 18:1–6 —It is
likely that King David wrote this psalm near the end of his life, as it is very
similar to the psalm recorded in 2
Samuel 22 , just before his last words. Here he recounts many of
the terrible situation in which he found himself over the course of his life,
and tells how the Lord delivered
him. He says, In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard
my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. When we find ourselves in bad
situations, we ought to remember that the Lord
has already delivered us from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation, and
that He stands ready to defend us throughout our lives.
Wednesday, 09 August 2023—Job 38:4–18 —Job had questioned God, as to why He
would let such great calamities befall him. In response, the Lord answers Job
by recounting His creation of all things, His ongoing involvement and dominion
over that creation. God is not subject to nature; nature is subject to God. We
weak humans, created beings that we are, have no right to question our
benevolent Creator, but simply to trust that what He does, he does for our
benefit.
Thursday, 10 August 2023—Romans 10:5–17 —How are we saved? By grace alone (sola
gratia) by faith alone (sola fide).in the merits of Christ alone (solus
Christus). This salvation extends to Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) alike.
But how are we to receive such saving faith? By Scripture alone (sola
scriptura).Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of
Christ.
That is why Paul quotes
Isaiah: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! For
the preaching of the Good News of the Gospel engenders saving faith.
Friday, 11 August 2023—Matthew 14:22–33—We can see
ourselves in Peter. Jesus asks him to do the impossible, and Peter, full of
bravado, believes he can. However, when he takes his eyes off of Jesus, he
falters, and is at risk of perishing. Likewise, when we avert our eyes from
Jesus, we lose faith and confidence, and put ourselves in spiritual jeopardy.
When we cry out, Lord, save me, Jesus rescues us, lest we drown in our
sin and unbelief and are lost forever.
Saturday, 12 August 2023—Sunday’s hymn of
the day is Eternal Father, Strong to Save (LSB #717). The first stanza, from the original Navy Hymn, proclaims the
supremacy of our heavenly Father over the sea. The next two stanzas declare the
authority of the Son and the Holy Spirit over the land and the air,
respectively. Finally, the fourth stanza affirms the sovereignty of the Triune
God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, over all our foes. Let us put our trust in
God alone for protection from all our enemies, whether physical or spiritual.
Collect for the Ninth Sunday after
Pentecost: Grant us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always, such things as
are pleasing in Your sight that we, who without You cannot do anything that is
good, may be You be enabled to live according to Your will; through Jesus
Christ, Your son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Collect for Proper 14: Almighty and most
merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in both
body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Prayer for steadfast faith: Almighty God, our
heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given
us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to
grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end
and finally come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns…
Prayer in time of spiritual doubt and affliction: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, You have given to all who believe
exceedingly great and precious promises. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may
without all doubt trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that our faith in Your
sight may never be found wanting; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns…
Prayer for agriculture: Almighty God, You bless
the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed
for the support of our lives. Prosper the work of farmers and all those who
labor to bring food to our table. Grant them seasonable weather that they may
gather in the fruits of the earth in abundance and proclaim Your goodness with
thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns…
Lectionary
summary on front page from LCMS Commission on Worship
Artwork by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, © WELS
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