Ordaining Justice
Friday’s Verse:
From Psalm 46:1 ESV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Yesterday, the Virginia man Brian J. Cole, Jr. was arrested in connection with the pipebombs planted at the DNC/RNC offices a day before the January 6, 2021 riot at our nation’s Capitol. Let us all be thankful that the Department of Justice and the FBI are hard at work to bring to justice the person(s) responsible for what could have become a much worse catastrophe.
Incidents like this are a sobering reminder of how very real and very close threats from evil can be. Violence planned in darkness, fear sown in the very halls where our nation’s leaders serve — it is a reminder that humanity’s sin is not ancient history. The desire to destroy, to terrorize, and to divide is a present darkness.
As Christians, we rightly feel troubled by such news. Evil is not an illusion. The devil is still prowling. But we do not walk through this world alone. God has not abandoned His creation to chaos.
The psalmist writes not that God is a distant protector. He is “a very present help.” God entered into this dangerous world in flesh and blood — Jesus Christ — to destroy sin, death, and the devil at the cross. Though sinful hearts plot destruction, God in His mercy ordains rescue. Though the earth shakes, Christ is our fortress.
We pray for the victims, for justice, and for hearts turned from violence to repentance. And we pray with confidence that Christ reigns — now and forever.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, in a world of fear and hidden evil, be our very present help. Protect those who serve and lead. Bring to repentance all who plan harm. Strengthen us by Your victory over darkness, and keep us steadfast in Your peace. 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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