November 18, 2023

Today's Reading: Introit to Pentecost 25: Psalm 143:2, 5-6, 10-11; antiphon Psalm 143:1

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Matthew 20:17-34

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy!  In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!  (Psalm 143:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. David was betrayed. There were those who ran after him to take his life. One of those who wanted him dead was his own son Absalom.  David’s very life was in danger, he felt crushed into the ground.  We have betrayed ourselves in our sins.  Not only have we betrayed ourselves but we are also being pursued by enemies of death, the devil, a fallen, wicked world. This is why we pray Psalm 143 and our Lord answers your prayer with His mighty deliverance.

Rather than running away Jesus is betrayed in your place.  He lets our sins hunt Him down for our sake.   He is hunted, beaten down, crushed, crucified, and died for you!  He is risen and now Jesus pursues you through the valley of the shadow of death.  He does not pursue you with betrayal or death.  He pursues you with goodness and mercy all the days of your life.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

From depths of woe I cry to Thee,  In trial and tribulation;  Bend down Thy gracious ear to me, Lord, hear my supplication.  If Thou rememb’rest ev’ry sin,   Who then could heaven ever win  Or stand before Thy presence?  (LSB 607:q)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.