THE WEEK OF TRINITY X - MONDAY

LESSON: ROMANS 13:11‒14

“Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace!” Luke 19:42

There are many ways in which God can punish men for despising and neglecting the Gospel and His Word. He can send them false prophets and sectarians who preach with such assurance that one would imagine they had swallowed the Holy Spirit. Even men in whom we had every confidence can become their victims and fall into error, so that they no longer know what they should do or leave undone.

There is no greater affliction or calamity than for God to send us sects and false teachers, because they are so bold, keen, and daring that it is really pitiable. On the other hand, the Word of God is such a great treasure that no one can adequately grasp it. God values His treasure very highly, and when He visits us in His grace it would please Him greatly if we accepted His visitation with love and thanksgiving.

He does not bring us under compulsion here, as well He might, but He wants us to follow Him gladly, with joy and love. However, He does not wait for us to come to Him; He gets in first and comes to us. He comes into the world; He becomes man; He serves us, dies for us, rises again, and sends us His Holy Spirit. He also gives us His Word and opens up heaven so widely that all stands open. In addition, He gives us rich promises and assurances of His temporal and eternal care here on earth and in heaven and pours out His grace upon us in full measure.

We are now living in a rich time of grace, but we despise it and throw it to the winds. This He cannot disregard.

SL 11:1472 (12‒13)
AE 78:346-361

PRAYER: In Your Word and Gospel, O God, You have bestowed rich and precious gifts upon us, and by Your mercy and grace we have enjoyed a rich season of grace. May we never lose the appreciation of the precious nature of Your rich blessings to us, but ever continue in their full enjoyment, in and through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.