Psalm 27

In the name of the Father + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear, the Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?"

What comforting words written for our learning. When you know the Lord God, Jesus Christ the only-begotten Son of God, there is nothing to fear. Why is this so? Because mankind's greatest fear has been taken off the list. True, even though public speaking is a great fear of many, still the number one fear for all people is dying. The Lord has turned "dying" on its head.

Through Jesus' dying our dying is a "non-issue." Christ has taken the fear out of dying. Our "greatest fears" list has been shortened through the love of the only-begotten Son of God. Our life can be lived in peace now, knowing that as we look forward to our last day in this life, we have nothing to fear because the one thing asked of the Lord has been given. Heaven. "One thing have I asked of the Lord that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

So when you are having your bad day, when you are feeling sorry for yourself and being grouchy, when you're harping on your kids or talking back to your parents ask yourself, "What's the big deal? Why am I so cranky?" Sometimes we Christians really need to give ourselves a reality check, a good reminder. Christ has opened heaven to us by the cross and empty tomb. The most important thing in all of life that could have caused our utmost grief has been taken care of. Death has been destroyed. Sin removed. Forgiveness granted. Heaven opened.

So what's your bad day all about? Are you tired? Go to bed. Are you overwhelmed? Take it one step at a time. Are you anxious? Have a glass of red wine. Your God has saved you from hell. Your worries are only temporary. Joys are eternal.

Next time you're having a bad day, starting to feel a bit on the grouchy side, feeling like you might want to be overbearing, sing Psalm 27. "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear...One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Who's bad day can continue with words such as these?

Thanks be to God for granting forgiveness, life and salvation.

For further reading on the "our light and our salvation..." John 1, "In the beginning..."

Psalm 24

In the name of the Father and of + the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It seems fitting to continue with the 24th Psalm after engaging in the past devotional study of the 23rd. As the 23rd ends with the kingly and royal imagery, we move right into a psalm that picks that imagery right up again.

Psalm 24, as Luther notes, is a "prophecy of the coming world-wide kingdom of Christ." The psalm's opening verse is an excellent reminder to us and to all people of the supremacy, sovereignty, power, might, majesty (you fill in the blank___________) of the Creator God.

Truly, when we think of the Creator of this universe, of even we ourselves, can you even comprehend the work of our God? One chapter earlier we were receiving great comfort in knowing that God is our Shepherd and we have nothing to fear, and suddenly now we are back to hearing again that this God who loves us so tenderly is the Almighty Maker and Sustainer of all things, the universe and all that is in it.

Read the psalm, Luther's comments and prayer. Search the Scriptures for other places that remind you of this Psalm in terms of God's reign over all things. There are many.

By the way, are the words of this psalm at all familiar? Do you know when you have heard them before?

Until next time,

Peace in Christ.