Psalm121:1-2, 5,7-8 antiphon, Luke 21:33—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray the words promised
by the Savior, Heaven and earth will pass
away, but My words will not pass away. The world is surely coming to an
end. This is more noticeable as the days become shorter and as the church year
is drawing to a close. Yet we need not fear. Our Savior has given us a
wonderful promise. Every word He has given us will be fulfilled. Although the
world passes away He word will never pass away.
Psalm 121 – The God who Keeps and Helps
This is the
second of the series of psalms which are titled A Song of Ascents. As a song
sung by travelers, this is particularly relevant for the trust placed in God
through the journey.
David
Livingstone, the famous missionary and explorer of the continent of Africa,
read Psalm 121 and Psalm 135, which praises God for his sovereign rule over all
things, as he worshiped with his father and sister before setting out for
Africa in 1840. His mother-in-law, wrote him that Psalm 121 was always in her
mind as she thought about and prayed for him.[2]
You are
guarded and protected by a Savior who has promised to keep His word.
The theme for this coming week’s theme deals with the theme
of the end of the world. In the Gospel (Luke 21:5-9) Jesus tells us what will
happen as He gives us signs of the end. Judgment is pronounced in the Old
Testament lesson (Malachi 4:1-2a) as the wicked will be burned up but the
righteous will be saved. In the Epistle lesson (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13) Paul
teaches that we are not to be idle but to work and provide for our needs. We
work until the end comes. Today’s world is in a terrible mess. Each generation
seems to think that conditions are so bad that the Day of the Lord is nigh.
What is the answer? Can the world be saved from destruction? Is the answer in
an international army, or in strengthening the dollar abroad, or in raising the
economic level of the Third World, or in the conquest of illiteracy? The
lessons have other options to propose. What can be done about the world? Burn –
God’s fire both destroys and restores – Malachi 4:1-6 Earn – Work while waiting
for the end – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 – Warn – An opportunity to witness to the
world – Luke 21:5-19
Collect for Psalm 121: Lord
Jesus Christ, you have prepared a quiet place for us in your Father’s eternal
home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the
burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil now and forever. Amen[3]
[1]
Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[3]
Collect for Psalm 121, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church,
Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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