January 23, 2024 

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-35

Daily Lectionary: Joel 2:18-32; Romans 11:25-12:13

This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.I want you to be free from anxieties.  (1 Corinthians 7:29-32a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What are your priorities? What is most important to you?  Is it your friends, or sports, or friends?  Maybe it's good grades, peace and quiet, or being liked by others.  There are lots of things that might compete for your attention as you have a variety of competing priorities. So, out of your priorities, which one or ones always rise to the top?  Recognizing all these priorities, especially as it relates to if single people should get married or not, St. Paul writes to the Corinthians.  He points out that anxieties betray priorities. Are you worried about your grades?  If you’re worried about it, that means it’s important to you.

Paul writes that being married changes your priorities.  Well, duh!  Going back to school after Christmas break changes your priorities too. Any change in life changes what you prioritize. St. Paul points out that a Christian’s priority should be about the things of the Lord. This reminds us of the first commandment:  You shall have no other gods. As the Small Catechism helpfully explains, this means that we should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. That means that if something else takes priority over God, you have sinned.  And it’s obvious that you have broken this commandment. Repent. Turn from your sin. Receive the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Set your attention on the Lord.

But what about getting married or doing anything else that would change your priorities?  Set your attention on the Lord and His will. Live a life full of repentance and faith. Believe that the Lord’s forgiveness for all your sins, including your divided attention, is enough. And it is, because God’s grace is always enough.  It is that grace that covers all your sins and sustains you every day.  He is the author and perfecter of your faith, and He is faithful to forgive all your sins. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Christ be my Leader by night as by day;  Safe through the darkness, for He is the way. Gladly I follow, my future His care,  Darkness is daylight when Jesus is there. (LSB 861:1)

-Pastor Peter W. Ill is pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois.

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

The Lutheran Reader’s Bible helps you develop a habit of devotion and Bible reading so you can slowly but intentionally understand and grow in God’s Word. Through introductions to the sixty-six books of the Bible, guided reading plans, and more, this Bible builds your confidence to study Scripture on your own.