Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Friday after Cantate

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Zechariah 8:18-23 (NKJV)

18 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, 19 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’

20 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities;

21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord, and seek the Lord of hosts. I myself will go also.”

22 Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.’

23″“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”‘”

Devotion

In last Sunday’s Gospel, we heard Christ’s words to His disciples from John 16: “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” In a few weeks, the Church will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, when the Helper, the Holy Spirit, descended on the apostles, and in that day all was as we hear in the words of today’s reading:

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord, and seek the Lord of hosts. I myself will go also.” Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.’ “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”‘”

We read in Acts 2 that on the day of Pentecost: “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.” Men from every nation thus heard the Word, and so it is to the end of this age: the Lord continues to gather His remnant by the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word.

Prayer: O God, Who makes the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant unto Thy people that they may love what Thou commandest and desire what Thou dost promise that among the manifold changes of this world our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who livest and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

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