Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Monday after Ad te levavi, The First Sunday in Advent

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: St. Matthew 11:25-30 (NKJV)

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Devotion

Those who reject Christianity often like to claim that there is freedom and happiness in their godless choices. Some claim they have found rest and peace of mind in a life where they ignore God’s teachings, statutes, and promises. In other cases, some claim that other religious systems are just as valid and just as valuable as Christianity for living an abundant life. Jesus says otherwise.

True Christianity does not go along with the claims that there is life and happiness in godlessness, or in other religions. One reason for this is the fact that the Christian faith focuses on God, Who is the only One Who can provide good things for us, but the other beliefs that are set against Christ’s Words teach people to focus on themselves or something other than the true God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Knowing God is not seeing Him as a repressive tyrant or a mere social construct that man has made to personify his ideas. God is truly a Father Who is righteous, all-powerful, and benevolent. He is also truly a Savior Who was made man in order to die in our place. And He is truly the Spirit of Truth that enlightens us and shows us real wisdom and peace. To see God in any other way is a misconception, or a lie. But through Jesus Christ we can see the truth about Him!

We pray: Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come, that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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