Saturday’s Verse:
From Luke 21:28 (ESV)
(Jesus said) “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
A wedding, a reunion with loved ones, Christmas - there are many occasions we look forward to with excitement. When thinking of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, are we excited or fearful?
In this hymn, "The Day is Surely Drawing Near", we learn of the blessed hope that Jesus Christ is coming again - to judge both “the quick and the dead” (I grew up saying that phrase, so I thought that since we’re pondering the Second Coming, it would be OK to use). We must come to account before Him, and not one of us can say we have worked or earned salvation. Each of us is a sinner deserving of His wrath and judgment.
Yet this hymn brings us to the Lord Jesus, who suffered on our behalf, taking the punishment for our sins. He that comes to judge is also our Savior!
Hence, when we think of the Last Day, we know that we can confidently look up to Christ. Not to our good deeds, good works, or even our faith in Him, but to rely wholly and completely on Him. By His sacrifice on our behalf, our sins are blotted out, and we receive the gift of eternal life through faith in Him.
Therefore, let us rejoice in the knowledge that the Day of the Lord is approaching! Our Savior and Redeemer is coming soon for us!
Today’s Prayers
Merciful Father, we ask You to grant us a fervent desire for Your Second Advent, and forgiveness of our sins that we may trust only in You and Your atoning work on the Cross. Stir our faith in You so that we may joyfully await Your coming. Hail, Jesus Christ, Son of David! 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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