Monday, August 9, 2010

Devotions on the Lectionary: Pentecost 12, First Lesson

by Michael Schottey

Genesis 15:1 "After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.'" (NIV)

Abram – one of the greatest examples of faith in the Bible – would have better days than this.

Aging – with a barren wife, and no heir – the patriarch was worried about his legacy.

God had once said to Abram, "Leave your country...and I will make you into a great nation." Now, Abram feared that his chief servant, Eliezer, would be his heir.

It is to this Abram – this attitude, this fear, this lack of faith – that God says,

"Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your very great reward."

This word of calm, this covenant, said more than can be expressed. It conveyed to Abram, and still to us, that earthly concerns need not trouble us to the point of despair. God is our shield. His Christ, promised to Abram long ago, is our reward – a reward that supersedes any worries our earthly lives could afford.

Since God has given us his Son, what should trouble us?

Christ is yours. Heaven is won.

Do not be afraid.

Prayer: Lord, Father, almighty and everlasting God: give to me this day my daily bread. Grant to your child all that you find needful. Withhold my sinful wants. Calm my fear. Be my shield from all harm and temptation. In Christ, my great reward, I pray. Amen.

Hymn
O Lord of Heaven and earth and sea,
To you all praise and glory be!
How can we thank you properly
who gives us all?

You did not spare your only Son,
but gave him for a world undone,
and freely with that blessed one,
you give us all.

CW 487:1,4

1 comment:

Lisette Anne Lopez said...

This is the WELS I know. No one wants to comment on this though. No one seems to need this anymore. But, I need this spiritual food every day; and it satisfies me always. Thank you Lord, for working through your servants, in order to send this beautiful message to those who really want and need You.

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