VERSE: “[The Lord] is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pe. 3:9b, c).
Meditate on and learn by heart the hymn marked with an asterisk (*).
614*: “As Surely as I Live,” God Said
755: In the Very Midst of Life
824: May God Bestow on Us His Grace
597: Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying
The psalmist describes the mercy God has shown to his people in the past, and on the basis of this prays that God would again relent from his anger and restore his people. At the same time the psalmist notes that God’s people dare not return to folly, for the LORD’s salvation “is near those who fear him” (v. 9). God grant us to sincerely repent of our sins and to respond to his love with faithfulness.
The LORD addresses Ezekiel at some length concerning the message he is to preach. It is a clear message of Law and Gospel: turn from the LORD to evil ways and you will surely perish, but turn from your wickedness to the LORD and he will be merciful. The LORD makes clear that the righteous man will perish if he turns to evil. There is no hope for sinners except in the LORD, and there is no repentant sinner beyond the reach of God’s mercy. God grant that we would respond to his Word in repentance and faithfulness.
St. Paul warns his readers not to become complacent in their status as God’s people. Repeatedly he recalls the sins of Israel during the Exodus and the tragic results they brought. He then concludes, “these things took place as examples for us” (v. 6). Don’t become overconfident in your own status or strength. Trust in God, rely on his help—that’s what it’s there for. With his surpassing power we will be able to endure in the faith whatever the temptation until he brings us to himself in heaven.
Jesus speaks to the idea that when bad things happen to people it’s because the people deserve them. Jesus doesn’t deny that people who suffer tragedies are sinners, but he absolutely rejects the idea that they are worse than anyone else. Learn a lesson from what happened to them, he says, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (vv. 3, 5). He expects the fruits of faith to be evidenced in our lives. May his Word nourish and strengthen us to live as his people.
| Monday | Genesis 18:1-15 | Mark 6:14-34 |
| Tuesday | Genesis 21:1-21 | Mark 6:35-56 |
| Wednesday | Genesis 22:1-19 | Mark 7:1-23 |
| Thursday | Genesis 24:1-31 | Mark 7:24-37 |
| Friday | Genesis 24:32-52, 61-67 | Mark 8:1-21 |
| Saturday | Genesis 27:1-29 | Mark 8:22-38 |
| Sunday | Genesis 27:30-45; 28:10-22 | Mark 9:1-13 |
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
THE THIRD ARTICLE:
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean? (part 1)
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.
THE COLLECT FOR NEXT SUNDAY [Third Sunday in Lent] “O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” AMEN!
