Today's Reading: Introit for the Baptism of Our Lord (Psalm 89:1, 26-28; antiphon: Liturgical Text; Psalm 89:20)

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 3:12-27; Romans 2:1-16

I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. (From the Introit for the Baptism of Our Lord)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Yesterday came the happy cry, "Arise, shine, for. . . the glory of the LORD has risen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1). That's because for God's children there is always much to do every day: learning to confess our own sins, trusting the promise of Jesus' Cross in our Baptism, in His Word, and at His Supper, helping to lighten the load a little for those around us with the good works we can do for them. 

And before we even give a thought to any of it, God has already declared all of it, and you, holy in His sight. "Arise, shine, for. . . the glory of the LORD has risen upon you!" 

This is why, like tomorrow's psalmist, the baptized will gather in the house of the Lord and sing not of their steadfast love, but of God's. In the liturgy, the hymns, and the prayers, our mouths will echo the forgiveness and the salvation God has spoken to us in the Absolution, preached to us in the sermon, and delivered to us at the Supper. Like tomorrow's psalmist, the baptized will confess that it is the forever faithfulness of God that makes Jesus "the Rock" of our salvation (Psalm 89:26).        

The psalm from tomorrow's Introit is all about Jesus. "He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation'" (Psalm 89:26). Hear Jesus crying this for you, as He is conceived and born for you. Hear Him crying it, for you, as He lives for you and as He suffers and dies for you. Hear Jesus crying this for you as He rises from the dead for you and ascends "to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God" (John 20:17). Hear this cry every day in your Baptism. Hear it tomorrow in the Invocation, in the Absolution and sermon, in the Supper and Benediction. For this cry is now your cry, too. From Jesus' lips to yours lips, all the way to the Father's ears.  

And because the Father always hears Jesus, rest assured, He always hears you, especially when it's the words of Jesus that are on your lips. It's the promise of the Gospel. "You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation (Psalm 89:26). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Take my voice and let me sing Always, only for my King; Take my lips and let them be Filled with messages from Thee. ("Take My Life and Let It Be" LSB 783, st.3) 

-Rev. Bradley Drew is pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch