Festival of St. Michael and All Angels
Posted on September 29, 2022 by under
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NKJV)
3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
Devotion
God calls us according to His purposes. He wants us to believe and be saved, but He also wants us to work and serve in ways that are constructive. That is the difference between walking in His will and working according to what seems right in our own eyes. His will teaches good order for the sake of His kingdom, the Church. Laziness, being a “busybody”, and rejecting the faithful received teachings of God’s Word are all destructive because they encourage disorder between faithfully hearing and faithfully doing.
From the beginning the evil one, Satan, has taught self-will and chaos. But God has also continued to send His holy messengers to work against Satan’s efforts. Just as God called man to faithful work, He also appointed angels to serve His will. At the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels we remember that some fell away, such as Satan and his fellow evil angels, but others are still faithful, and they do great things for the sake of God’s beloved people!
Both men and angels were made to serve the Lord and His righteousness. That is the good order that was established when God first made all things. It is by His gracious Word and blessed help that He restores us to faithful order and service, where we have the joy of serving and worshiping along with the angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven, to the glory of Christ!
Prayer: O Everlasting God, Who hast ordained and constituted the services of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as Thy holy angels always do Thee service in Heaven, so by Thine appointment they may succor and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
O Lord, we beseech Thee, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thy succor, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
