The Counter-Cultural Christian
Saturday’s Verses:
From Proverbs 3:31-32 ESV
“Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.”
God is clear: Do not covet the violent or their ways, for the Lord abominates the perverse but gives confidence to the upright. Times of aggression often carry impressive showings of force. Accomplishments made through violence and manipulation may tempt us with temporary success.
Scripture shows that God’s favor and the flashing lights of power are two different things.
For Lutherans, this proverb keeps us focused on the First Commandment. We are to fear, love, and trust in God alone. We do not need to emulate the wicked to feel safe. Our righteousness before God does not come by how forcefully we can assert ourselves. It is received by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord has “secret” or intimate fellowship with the upright not because of their greatness, but because of His mercy toward those He has chosen.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, keep us from coveting what the violent have accomplished. Instead, give us contentment in all You have provided. Give us integrity to walk in humble faith by Your truth. Place us deeper in the trust of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
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.
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