April 14, 2023 – Psalm 5

“Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5

“For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Knowing that G-d looks on us with favor and covers us with righteousness as like a shield – well what better comfort could we receive? This should be one of the greatest feelings for any of us – to know that G-d is always with us, as protector and shield. This is our standing in grace – for our protection and ultimate salvation comes through the works of Jesus Christ.

The shield of favor from G-d is like the clothing called “Under Armour” – it keeps us warm in the blessing of Christ while wicking away the stench of evil and death. This is how fully the favor of G-d protects us.

When Martin Luther was on his way to face a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church to answer for what they said were his heretical teachings, one of the Cardinal’s servants taunted him saying, “Where will you find shelter if your patron, the Elector of Saxony, should desert you?” Luther answered, “Under the shelter of heaven.” (enduringword.com)

Prayer: let us pray…

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Light of the world and alone the Way to eternal life. Restrain the corrupters of Your Word and all the enemies of Your truth. Preserve the truth of Your Gospel in these latter days and in faithful teachers who will lead us in the way everlasting. Grant us to serve You in steadfast faith and a good conscience to our end. Amen.

Pastor Dave

April 13, 2023 – Psalm 4

“Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!” You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.” Psalm 4

Do you ever have trouble sleeping at night? I have trouble every night — from either things that roll around in my brain, or the aches and pains of being older, it is hard to get a good night’s sleep. The things that keep me awake are varied: How high would the electric bill be this month? Who did I miss visiting this month? What are my parents going to do with their current situation? How silly of me to let such trite things rob me of sleep — and yet in the middle of the night, they do not seem so trite.

Verse 8 of the 4th Psalm should be our goal: “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Whatever concerns we have that keep us awake at night, we should spend as much time in prayer as we do in worry. My suggestion to you is this: Pray to G-d today, that you will remember every day to take all of your difficulties to G-d. Then, go to sleep in peace trusting that they are now in the hands of G-d.

Prayer: let us pray…

O God, our merciful Father in heaven, fill our hearts with patience under the cross, strengthen our faith, and so govern us that we give offense to none, neither in word nor deed. Grant us also this day of comfort and a night of restful sleep that we need for body and soul. Amen.

Pastor Dave