You can quit looking for another

Verse for the week: “… there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10.42

Prayer: “Almighty and everlasting God, through your Son you have assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death.  Strengthen us by your Holy Spirit, that we may daily increase in this faith and hold fast the hope that when we die, we shall but fall asleep and on the last day be raised to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.” (Kirchenbuch fur die Gemeinde (Isenhagen), quoted in Orate Fratres, Gebetsordnung fur evangelische-lutherische Pfarrer, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1952, p.84). 

Bible reading for the day:  Isaiah 44.6-8 (The setting is 6^th century BC. God’s own people had increasingly trusted in themselves… and this landed them in Exile in Babylon, a nearly 50 year disciplinary “time out.” Now the Lord is giving his people a fresh start.)

⁶ Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
    and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
    besides me there is no god.
⁷ Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
    Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
⁸ Fear not, nor be afraid;
    have I not told you from of old and declared it?
    And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
    There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: you are the first and the last, my beginning and the end of me. Besides you there is no other god… alleluia! Deliver me and my congregation from all our errands to find another god; especially in our own will. There is no rock besides Christ crucified and raised for us… so establish us in him each day, each hour. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMapZB8qMk

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

I am the Lord your God.  You shall have no other gods before me.  Exodus 20.2 & 3

What does this mean for us?

We are to fear, love and trust God above everything else.  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction:  The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  Phil 4.7

*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.