Friday after the Ninth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 11, 2023 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 12:54-59 (NKJV)
12:54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58 When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”
Devotion
Before the coming of the Christ, John the Baptist was sent to prepare God’s people. John was sent by God with a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Those who properly discerned that they were sinners who had earned God’s wrath came to receive this gift of salvation. They believed and became God’s children by the washing of rebirth and renewal.
Through the Holy Scriptures, we have come to discern the time. Now is the time of God’s grace. Our Savior Jesus Christ has provided for all the world an atonement for their sins. Our heavenly Father continues to send out His servants to announce the good news—repent and believe! Through faith in Jesus Christ there is life, salvation, and a release from the punishment of sin. A final day of judgment is coming in which all of us will appear before God’s throne. On the last day (or the day of our death), the door of grace will be shut to those who have resisted Him.
We dare not wait. Now is the time of God’s grace. Today is the day of salvation. Let His Holy Spirit create and sustain faith in you. By His power, let us make every effort to pray, praise, and give thanks. Come and receive the Lord’s provisions of Word and Sacrament often. Pray unceasingly. Continue to commend yourself to the God, who cares for you.
Prayer: Let Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of Thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please Thee; 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.
