Friday, December 3 – Isaiah 30:19-26 and Acts 13:16-25
Candle Lighting: Come, Lord Jesus.
Opening Prayer:
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.
By your merciful protection
Save us from the threatening dangers of our sins and enlighten our walk in the ways of your salvation.
Acts 13:16-25
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct[a] in the wilderness; 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. “After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ 23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ 23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
Paul describes how God acted toward the Israelites, listening to their
wishes and waiting for a right response. God led them out of slavery, endured
their wandering from the Law in the desert, gave them a homeland, and
provided judges and kings when the people asked for them. Yet it seems as
though the people were waiting. They could not gain life according to their
own plan, and God heard the cries of their waiting. Isaiah promises that God
“will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry.” The answer comes in
Christ, our Savior, who alleviates the pain and yearning of our waiting hearts
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever. Ps. 72
Thanks to:The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, ELCA and http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112810.html.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Called as God's People
Equipped by the Holy Spirit
Sent to boldly proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to all people.
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