Verse for the week: “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this
inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.” II Timothy 2.19
Prayer for the week: “Almighty and merciful God, fulfill in us your
promises and grant that when that day shall come we may sit down with all the
redeemed at the heavenly feast and praise you in eternal light; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete für das jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p. 219).
Bible reading for the day: Ruth 1.1-18 (note: In the Christian canon, Ruth is a history book that provides a transition
from the period of the judges to the promised era of the kings. Due to a famine
in Judah, Naomi, whose name means “pleasant,” became a sojourner in Moab. While
there, her sons both married local girls. That is only the beginning of the
story.)
In the days when the judges ruled there was a
famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the
country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The
name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of
his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem
in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two
sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the
one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten
years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that
the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of
Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had
visited his people and given them food. 7 So
she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and
they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 But
Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's
house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt
with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant
that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she
kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And
they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But
Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons
in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn
back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I
should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should
bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait till they
were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it
is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of
the Lord has gone out against me.” 14 Then
they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law,
but Ruth clung to her.
15 And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back
to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But
Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For
where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people
shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where
you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do
so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18 And
when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.
prayer(based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for going
wherever you choose – to Moab and to the cross – to give faith to whomever you
choose… including a sinner like me. Deliver me from a fair-weather faith that
only thanks you when my life is pleasant. Grant to me and my congregation a
faith like Ruth’s that clings to you in life and death, no matter what. In
Jesus’ name I ask this, amen.
Hymn: follow
this link to a beloved classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation
with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9_75YztLT4
“Lead
us not into temptation…”
What does this mean?
God indeed tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God
would guard and protect us from this, that the devil, the world, and our sinful
nature may not deceive us or lead us into false belief, despair, and other
great and shameful sins, but pray that when we are tempted in these ways, we
may finally prevail and gain the victory. (from The Small Catechism, by
Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
benediction The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep
your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your
coming in
From this time on and forevermore. Ps
121.7-8
*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
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.
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