Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Saturday after the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
Leave a comment
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5 (NKJV)
 
5:1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
 
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
 
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
 
Devotion
 
None of us has reason to be prideful, especially those of us who serve to shepherd the Lord’s flock. We are all sinners who are called to use the resources and abilities that we have in service to God’s Church and the proclamation of His Word. The devil is eager to tempt all people to abuse their vocations. If we have any sort of authority, the Enemy would have us twist it and use it selfishly. If we are called to serve others, he would have us resent those who we are supposed to help. And the devil is especially eager to sow his seeds in the midst of the Lord’s Church.
 
St. Peter reminds us that we have one Lord, the Chief Shepherd, who cares for us even as He wields all divine authority and power. Called and ordained servants of the Word have no right to rule in ways that Christ Himself does not rule. Our Lord exemplifies humility and grace.
 
We should all pray for one another in the family of faith, but especially remember to pray and help those who are called to serve as shepherds for the flock of God. The devil attacks our pastors aggressively, and constantly. We struggle and we sin, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we repent and endeavor to serve faithfully. May our Lord help us all to be truly steadfast as His flock.
 
Prayer: O God, forasmuch as without Thee we are not able to please Thee, mercifully grant that Thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Leave a Comment