Confessional Lutheran Ministerium

  Psalm 22:1-22 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Deer of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David.

22 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?
² O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;
And in the night season, and am not silent.

³ But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
⁴ Our fathers trusted in You;
They trusted, and You delivered them.
⁵ They cried to You, and were delivered;
They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

⁶ But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
⁷ All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
⁸ “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

⁹ But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.
¹⁰ I was cast upon You from birth.
From My mother’s womb
You have been My God.
¹¹ Be not far from Me,
For trouble is near;
For there is none to help.

¹² Many bulls have surrounded Me;
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.
¹³ They gape at Me with their mouths,
Like a raging and roaring lion.

¹⁴ I am poured out like water,
And all My bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me.
¹⁵ My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death.

¹⁶ For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
¹⁷ I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
¹⁸ They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.

¹⁹ But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me;
O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
²⁰ Deliver Me from the sword,
My precious life from the power of the dog.
²¹ Save Me from the lion’s mouth
And from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered Me.

²² I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

David prophesies the sufferings of Christ on Good Friday. He is forsaken by God. All who see Him ridicule Him. They mock Him with His own trust in God His Father. He is poured out like water, spent entirely. His heart is like wax melting under the heat of crucifixion. His strength is dried up like a piece of broken pottery. He thirsts so that His tongue clings to His jaws. His enemies have pierced His hands and feet, attaching Him to the cross. He is so emaciated that one could count His bones. His executioners cast lots for His only earthly possessions since He will not need them in death.

David also sees Christ’s trust in God the Father. God the Father’s purpose had determined this suffering in our place (Acts 4:28). Isaiah says, “It pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief” (Is 53:10). Although God His Father is punishing Him as the sinner, Christ still trusts in Him. He says: “But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God. Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help” (9-11). Although it is His Father who smites Him, Christ looks to Him alone as His strength and asks for deliverance.

Christ’s innocent, bitter sufferings and death atones for the sins of the entire world. In this way, our sufferings cannot resemble Christ’s. But in our sufferings—especially the crosses we bear for the sake of Christ, the gospel, and living a godly life—Christ’s sufferings are an example for us to follow. Although God allows us to suffer affliction and sickness in our bodies and minds, we look to Him alone as our God for help. Although God allows us to suffer ridicule, persecution, or even martyrdom for His sake, we are to look to Him as our strength and salvation. We trust God to save us, if not in this life, then in the next. We can say with David and Christ, “You have answered me” (21), knowing our gracious Father will save, deliver, and on the last day raise us from the dead to eternal life.

Let us pray: We give You thanks, O God, for Christ’s sufferings for our sins. Be our strength and help in our afflictions and crosses, that we may follow His patient example. Amen.

Psalm 21:1-13 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

21 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
² You have given him his heart’s desire,
And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

³ For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
⁴ He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—
Length of days forever and ever.
⁵ His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
⁶ For You have made him most blessed forever;
You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.
⁷ For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

⁸ Your hand will find all Your enemies;
Your right hand will find those who hate You.
⁹ You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;
The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath,
And the fire shall devour them.
¹⁰ Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth,
And their descendants from among the sons of men.
¹¹ For they intended evil against You;
They devised a plot which they are not able to perform.
¹² Therefore You will make them turn their back;
You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.

¹³ Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power.

In his Summaries of the Psalms of 1531, Martin Luther says: “The 21st Psalm is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom which is and remains eternally and spiritually before God…. This psalm belongs in the first commandment and the second petition, for it announces a new worship and kingdom.”

Therefore, this psalm celebrates the victory and reign of a King who delights in the strength of the Lord and finds joy in His salvation. This King is Christ, whose kingdom is established forever before God.

This psalm also contrasts the eternal reign of Christ and the fall of the Jewish kingdom that opposed Him. By rejecting and crucifying their rightful King, the Jewish leaders of that day brought upon themselves unending pain and suffering, a burden they would bear without profit. This psalm points to a new worship and a new kingdom under Christ, aligning with the First Commandment, “You shall serve God only,” and the Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come.”

For Christians, Psalm 21 is a reminder of the joy and security we have in Christ, our eternal King. His reign is not like earthly kingdoms, subject to rise and fall, but is everlasting and unshakeable. Christ has conquered sin, death, and the devil, and in His victory, we too find our strength and salvation.

As we reflect on this psalm, let us rejoice in the sure and certain hope we have in Christ’s eternal kingdom. Let us also be mindful of the new worship to which we are called, worship that is centered on Christ, our King, and His saving work. Our response is to sing and praise the power of God, exalting Him for the victory He has won for us.

Let us pray: Almighty God, we thank You for the victory of Christ, our eternal King. Grant that we may always rejoice in Your strength and find our joy in Your salvation. Help us to worship You in spirit and truth, and to live as faithful citizens of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Genesis 25:19-34 NKJV

¹⁹ This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham begot Isaac. ²⁰ Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian. ²¹ Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. ²² But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

²³ And the Lord said to her:

“Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than the other,
And the older shall serve the younger.”

²⁴ So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. ²⁵ And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. ²⁶ Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

²⁷ So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. ²⁸ And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

²⁹ Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. ³⁰ And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

³¹ But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”

³² And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”

³³ Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”

So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. ³⁴ And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

In Genesis 25:19-34, we encounter divine wisdom and human frailty. Isaac, though a man of faith, was not exempt from weaknesses. His choice to marry Rebekah at forty reflects a victory over youthful desires, showing us that sanctity is found in disciplined, patient living rather than in extraordinary deeds. Genuine piety often unfolds in the ordinary, faithful moments of life.

The story of Rebekah’s barrenness teaches us the importance of earnest prayer. Isaac’s persistent intercession for Rebekah reminds us that true prayer is fervent and steadfast, even when God’s promises seem delayed. Our prayers, like Isaac’s, should be rooted in trust and patience, knowing that God’s timing surpasses our understanding.

The birth of Esau and Jacob brings another crucial lesson: the reversal of worldly expectations. Esau, the firstborn, was expected to inherit the blessing, yet God chose Jacob, the younger, to carry forward His promise. This divine choice illustrates a fundamental truth—God’s ways often defy human wisdom. This cautions us against placing trust in external appearances or worldly status.

Esau’s disregard for his birthright in exchange for a simple meal serves as a stern warning against valuing immediate, worldly pleasures over spiritual blessings. Esau signifies all who prioritize temporal gains over eternal truths, like the false church. He urges us to guard against such folly, valuing spiritual inheritance above all else.

As we reflect on this passage, let us heed the lessons of patience, earnest prayer, and the dangers of worldly desires. Our true blessing comes not from the fleeting pleasures of this world but from faithfully pursuing the spiritual riches God offers. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us to value Your promises above all else and resist the temptations of immediate, worldly pleasures. May we seek Your kingdom first and live in the light of Your eternal truth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Genesis 25:1-11 NKJV

25 Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah. ² And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. ³ Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. ⁴ And the sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

⁵ And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. ⁶ But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.

⁷ This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. ⁸ Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. ⁹ And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, ¹⁰ the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife. ¹¹ And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.

In these passages, we see Abraham marrying Keturah and having children, Isaac waiting long years for God’s promise, and Abraham’s peaceful death. Abraham’s life teaches us about patience and divine timing. Even in his old age, Abraham fathered children through Keturah, demonstrating that God’s promises extend beyond human limitations. Abraham’s actions were not driven by indulgence but by a deep faith in God’s plan. The patriarch reminds us that God’s promises are not bound by our expectations or timelines.

Isaac’s story, marked by 20 years of waiting for offspring, highlights the essence of faith. Despite the delay, God’s blessing was sure and came in His perfect timing. Issac’s patience demonstrates that waiting on God is not a sign of unfaithfulness but a crucial aspect of true worship. Our patience and trust in God’s promises, even when they seem long delayed, demonstrate our confidence in His sovereignty.

The death of Abraham, peaceful and full of years, offers us comfort. The end of life for the righteous is not a fearful transition but a peaceful resting in God’s promises. The phrase “gathered to his people” signifies the hope of resurrection and eternal life. The faithful can approach death in confidence that their souls will rest in peace God.

From Abraham’s life to Isaac’s waiting, and through the comfort of death, we learn that God’s promises are reliable. Our faith involves enduring trials, trusting in God’s timing, and holding firm to His word. True worship is faith which holds fast to God’s promises and waits patiently upon Him in hope. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the examples of faith shown in Abraham and Isaac. Help us to trust in Your promises and wait patiently for Your timing. Grant us the strength to endure trials and the assurance that Your blessings will come as You have promised. Comfort us with the hope of eternal life and help us live faithfully, reflecting Your love and trustworthiness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Genesis 24:27-44 NKJV

²⁷ And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” ²⁸ So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things.

²⁹ Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well. ³⁰ So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “Thus the man spoke to me,” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well. ³¹ And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.”

³² Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. ³³ Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.”

And he said, “Speak on.”

³⁴ So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. ³⁵ The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. ³⁶ And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has. ³⁷ Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell; ³⁸ but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’ ³⁹ And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ ⁴⁰ But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house. ⁴¹ You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’

⁴² “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go, ⁴³ behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” ⁴⁴ and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’

In today’s passage, we witness that the servant’s recounting of his mission is a profound expression of acknowledgment and gratitude of God’s guidance. That the servant begins by praising God for successfully guiding him emphasizes that all our successes, big or small, are gifts from God. In every aspect of our lives, we should maintain an attitude of thanksgiving.

Despite the generous hospitality he received, the servant’s primary focus remained on fulfilling his mission. This highlights the importance of faithfulness and diligence in our roles, whether in our personal or professional lives. Just as the servant demonstrated unwavering commitment, we too are called to serve with integrity and dedication, honoring God through our responsibilities.

The servant’s detailed recounting of his mission serves to honor both Isaac and Rebekah. He openly and respectfully approaches the possibility of their marriage, since marriage is a divine institution, worthy of honor and to be entered into with transparency. In a world where marriage can be undervalued, we are reminded to uphold its sanctity and respect.

Abraham’s wealth and status were viewed by the servant as blessings from God. This should cause us to see our own blessings as gifts from God, acknowledging His providence rather than attributing success solely to personal achievement.

This episode teaches us to view all things through the lens of divine ordaining. Despite the challenges, marriage is a gift from God with profound significance for those who enter into it and their community. We are encouraged to honor these roles and recognize their divine purpose.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your guidance and blessings in our lives. Help us to approach our daily tasks with gratitude and faithfulness, and teach us see to our successes as gifts from You and serve with integrity in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  Genesis 24:1-26 NKJV

24 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. ² So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, ³ and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; ⁴ but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

⁵ And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?”

⁶ But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there. ⁷ The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. ⁸ And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.” ⁹ So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

¹⁰ Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. ¹¹ And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. ¹² Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. ¹³ Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. ¹⁴ Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

¹⁵ And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. ¹⁶ Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up. ¹⁷ And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.”

¹⁸ So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink. ¹⁹ And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” ²⁰ Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. ²¹ And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.

²² So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold, ²³ and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”

²⁴ So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.” ²⁵ Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge.”

²⁶ Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord.

In this passage, the Holy Spirit reminds us that marriage is not merely a social contract, but a divine institution ordained by God. It is a holy covenant meant to fulfill God’s purposes, including the continuation of His promises. Just as Abraham sought a wife for Isaac with deep reverence and faith, so should we approach marriage with a prayerful heart, seeking to align our choices with God’s will.

Abraham’s diligence underscores the crucial role of parental guidance in marriage decisions. Abraham’s careful choice and his servant’s respectful search highlight the importance of involving godly wisdom and parental counsel in such significant matters. We are called to honor and follow the divine order in our own lives and in the lives of our children.

The servant’s journey and his prayer reflect an understanding that God is intricately involved in even the seemingly mundane details of our lives. Our daily decisions, from finding a life partner to making routine choices, are under the watchful care of our Heavenly Father. Prayer is not about dictating terms to God but about submitting our requests with faith and openness to His guidance.

Rebecca’s character, exemplified through her hospitality and willingness to serve, stands as a testament to virtues that God values. In all our interactions, especially in significant relationships, we should embody kindness and humility, reflecting the godly qualities that were esteemed in Rebecca.

As the servant witnessed God’s provision and was amazed by the outcome, we too are encouraged to trust in God’s timing and provision. These insights remind us that God often exceeds our expectations, and we should approach our needs and desires with a heart full of faith and gratitude.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the sacred institution of marriage and for the guidance You provide in our daily lives. Help us to honor Your will in our relationships, to seek Your guidance, and to trust in Your provision with unwavering faith. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Genesis 23:1-20 NKJV

23 Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. ² So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

³ Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, ⁴ “I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”

⁵ And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, ⁶ “Hear us, my lord: You are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us will withhold from you his burial place, that you may bury your dead.”

⁷ Then Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. ⁸ And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish that I bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and meet with Ephron the son of Zohar for me, ⁹ that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he has, which is at the end of his field. Let him give it to me at the full price, as property for a burial place among you.”

¹⁰ Now Ephron dwelt among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the presence of the sons of Heth, all who entered at the gate of his city, saying, ¹¹ “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field and the cave that is in it; I give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I give it to you. Bury your dead!”

¹² Then Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land; ¹³ and he spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If you will give it, please hear me. I will give you money for the field; take it from me and I will bury my dead there.”

¹⁴ And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, ¹⁵ “My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.” ¹⁶ And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants.

¹⁷ So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded ¹⁸ to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

¹⁹ And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. ²⁰ So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place.

In Genesis 23, we witness a deeply moving moment in Abraham’s life: the death of his beloved wife, Sarah, and his subsequent efforts to secure a burial site for her. Sarah’s age of 127 years highlights the richness of her experiences and the trials she endured. Abraham’s mourning for Sarah is a testament to the depth of his love and the natural, godly response to loss. His grief, far from being a weakness, illustrates the genuine human emotions that even the most faithful experience.

Abraham’s request for a burial site among the Hittites underscores his status as a sojourner in Canaan and his respect for the land promised by God. His insistence on purchasing the cave of Machpelah, despite Ephron’s generous offer, reflects his prudence and desire to ensure that future disputes over ownership would not arise. This act of securing the land formally, in the presence of witnesses, demonstrates his understanding of both spiritual and practical matters.

The respectful interaction between Abraham and the Hittites serves as a model of courtesy and humility. Abraham’s modest request and Ephron’s generous offer highlight the virtues of respect and honor.

In our own lives, we are called to embody these virtues. Like Abraham, we are to navigate our earthly interactions with wisdom and respect, acknowledging the transient nature of our existence while maintaining integrity and honor. Our spirituality is not separate from our daily dealings but intertwined with them, guiding us to act with humility and prudence.

As we reflect on this passage, we are inspired by Abraham’s example to grieve with faith, handle our earthly affairs with wisdom, and interact with others in a manner that honors both God and our fellow human beings. In doing so, we mirror the virtues of those who have gone before us and strive to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives.

Let us pray: O Lord, we give You thanks for sending Your Son to be our Brother and for redeeming us and making us Your dear children through Him. Amen.

Psalm 20:1-9 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

20 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
² May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
³ May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah

⁴ May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
⁵ We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

⁶ Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.

⁹ Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.

Martin Luther, in his Summaries of the Psalms (1531), calls Psalm 20 a “psalm of prayer” for those who rule—kings, princes, and all in authority. He says: “The psalm prays that God would grant them grace to rule peacefully and well, having good fortune and victory over their enemies. For wherever good earthly order obtains by the reason and power of governor and princes, people will not so earnestly and heartily pray for them. So that people might pray for them, the psalm declares that only the greatest fool, totally blind, would presume to rule land and people out of his own head.”

Good earthly order is a gift from God, and it is through His grace that leaders can govern peacefully and well. Without God’s guidance, anyone who attempts to rule by their own wisdom alone is, in Luther’s words, “the greatest fool, totally blind.”

As believers, we recognize the importance of praying for our leaders, not just in times of crisis, but as a regular part of our petitions to God. Psalm 20 reminds us that our trust is not in human strength, power, or military might (“chariots” and “horses”), but in the name of the Lord our God. It is God who grants success and delivers His people.

When we pray for our leaders, we ask that God would guide them according to His will, that they might rule justly and peaceably. This is a reflection of the Third Petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We pray not for the fulfillment of human ambition, but for God’s righteous rule to prevail through those who govern us.

In these troubled times, let us remember to lift our leaders in prayer, asking God to grant them wisdom, courage, and a heart aligned with His will. And as we do, we place our ultimate trust in the Lord, knowing that He is the one who saves and sustains us.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we pray for all who are in positions of authority. Grant them wisdom and grace to rule according to Your will. Help us to trust not in earthly power, but in Your saving strength. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Psalm 18:40-50 NKJV

⁴⁰ You have also given me the necks of my enemies,
So that I destroyed those who hated me.
⁴¹ They cried out, but there was none to save;
Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.
⁴² Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind;
I cast them out like dirt in the streets.

⁴³ You have delivered me from the strivings of the people;
You have made me the head of the nations;
A people I have not known shall serve me.
⁴⁴ As soon as they hear of me they obey me;
The foreigners submit to me.
⁴⁵ The foreigners fade away,
And come frightened from their hideouts.

⁴⁶ The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
⁴⁷ It is God who avenges me,
And subdues the peoples under me;
⁴⁸ He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
⁴⁹ Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.

⁵⁰ Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore.

In the final verses of Psalm 18, David concludes His song of praise for the LORD’s deliverance, still teaching us who the Lord is and what His people can always expect from Him. But here David also speaks of himself as a type or pattern of the coming Messiah.

David had enemies who were literally trying to kill him, from the Philistines to the Moabites to King Saul and his men. God delivered David’s enemies into his hands, and David literally destroyed many of them, although we remember how he showed mercy to Saul on several occasions, refusing to lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Even when some of David’s enemies cried out to the LORD to take their side against David, the LORD refused to answer them. He rejected their prayers and upheld David, His servant, instead.

This is the same thing that would happen to David’s Son, the Christ. He would have enemies who not only hated Him, but who sought to kill Him. They would even be successful for a moment! They would cry out to the Lord against Jesus and claim to be on the Lord’s side. But in the end, the Christ would be victorious over all His enemies, because the Father was on His side from the beginning.

As a result of his victories, David became the “head of the nations.” Or did he? He surely became famous and great, but this is hyperbole when applied to David. It’s literally true when it comes to His Son, the Christ. The nations serve Him even now, as people from every nation call Him Lord. And one day, every knee from every nation will bow before Him, whether willingly or by compulsion. One day, the Son of David will put all His enemies under His feet, even death itself. And through His victory, all believers will share in His everlasting deliverance—deliverance given first to David, then to the Son of David, and then to all those who take refuge in the Son of David, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Blessed are You, O Lord, King of the universe! We praise You for the deliverance You have given us and have promised to give us through Christ, who lives and reigns, with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 22:1-24 NKJV

Today’s reading shows the climactic triumph of Abraham’s faith over all of the weaknesses and the self-reliance he had displayed in the past. What father could readily obey such a command from God, to offer up his own son as a burnt offering? But Abraham didn’t refuse or argue or try to bargain for his son’s life. He “rose early in the morning” to set out immediately with his beloved son to carry out God’s dreadful command. What could he have been thinking?

We don’t have to wonder. The Holy Spirit gives us some valuable insight into Abraham’s thinking. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Heb. 11:17-19). In other words, God had promised that Abraham would have descendants through Isaac. Abraham didn’t yet have any descendants through Isaac. Therefore, even if Isaac died, the Lord must raise him from the dead in order to keep His promise. Abraham must have struggled mightily to raise that knife over his son, but he was ready to take his son’s life, because God had commanded it, and because he was convinced that this same God would somehow bring his son back to life.

This teaches us how genuine faith works. It doesn’t just hope beyond hope that something will happen, because someone wants it to happen. Genuine faith takes a word and promise of God and is thoroughly convinced that God will keep His word, no matter what, even if it requires a miracle, even if it requires raising someone from the dead.

Of course, all this points to the sacrifice God the Father actually made for us in giving His only-begotten Son into death for our sins. The LORD provided the Savior and the sacrifice we sinners needed in order to be adopted as His children. And if He didn’t spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also provide us with everything else we need? Let us pray: O LORD, You have proven Your faithfulness time and again. We trust in You to provide for us, even as You have so graciously provided us with a Savior from sin. Amen.