June 28, 2024 

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 6 - Psalm 121:5-8; antiphon: Psalm 121:1-2

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 3:1-17; Acts 9:1-22

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When your enemies have surrounded you, where else could you look than to the hills? The psalmist presents this to open Psalm 121. Immediately acknowledging that although their enemies are upon them, although there is evil in the world, their help comes from the Lord (v. 2). 

When all seems hopeless, when you feel like you just can’t win, or that failure has been the only consequence for you lately, call upon the Lord and look to Him for your help. God delivered His people from the hands of their enemies time and time again. Not only that, but God did not slumber or sleep on account of Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him. God promised to keep them from all evil and to redeem His people from sin and the evil one after the Fall.

The Old Testament has example after example of this, all pointing to the one the Lord the prophets foretold, Jesus. The Son of God, who made heaven and earth, who would keep you and all believers in the true faith from all evil. Jesus, by giving His life, keeps you in His crucified arms. Receiving the condemnation of the Law for sin and the ridicule of the world, He dies our death in our place. Jesus does not slumber or sleep until the work of redeeming you from sin is done.

It is in Jesus, the one who was promised, that the Lord is your help and your salvation. Jesus lays it all on the line for you. Where the Lord God, the maker of heaven and earth, sees you and proclaims you His beloved child. Just as comforting as these words were for the people of Israel as they went up to the temple, you sing and hear these words of the psalmist as already fulfilled and accomplished for you. God the Father has kept you as His own in His Son Jesus and continues through the work of His Holy Spirit, keeping your going out and coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

You have no need to look to the hills but look to Christ, and you will see your help and your salvation. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Then, gracious God, in years to come, We pray Your hand may guide us, And, onward through our journey home, Your mercy walk beside us Until at last our ransomed life Is safe from peril, toil, and strife When heav’n itself shall hide us. (LSB 899:5)

- Vicar Justin Chester, Vicar at Shepherd of the City, Fort Wayne, IN

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing.