The Supreme Judge and His Verdict

Verse for the week: “…a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not quench…”  Matthew 12.20

Prayer for the week: “Lord God, heavenly Father, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn from sin and live.  Mercifully turn away the punishment of our iniquities and, that we may be edified, grant us your Spirit and your power; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirched, 2^nd  ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p. 197). 

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 82

1 God has taken his place in the divine council;

       In the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

 2 "How long will you defend the unjust

       and show partiality to the wicked?

      

 3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;

       maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

 4 Rescue the weak and needy;

       deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

 5 "They know nothing, they understand nothing.

       They walk about in darkness;

       all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

 6 "I said, 'You are "gods";

       you are all sons of the Most High.'

 7 Nevertheless you will die like mere men;

       you will fall like every other ruler."

 8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,

       for all the nations are your inheritance.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you that you rose up on the cross to render judgment on sin and to declare mercy for sinners. The so-called enlightened gods and rulers of this world really know nothing; they stumble about in darkness with no solid foundation.  Deliver me and your church from falling in with them. Raise us up on the true foundation who is Christ and use even us to rescue the weak and needy, to deliver them from the hand of the wicked.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Thy kingdom come…

What does this mean?

The kingdom of God comes indeed by itself, without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may also come to us.

How is this done?

God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and live a godly life now and in eternity.  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction: May the God of peace himself grow you in his will entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.  Amen.  I Thess 5.23

*There are many patterns for devotions.  This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.

**The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:

T: thanksgiving

                                                          R: regret (repentance)

                                                          I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)

                                                          P: plan or purpose

Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.