Verse of the Day 1/1

Psalm 90:17  Let the  favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish  the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our  hands!   ESV

I have been reading the book "Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" and yesterday happened to read that every New Years Eve their family used to read psalm 90 which ends with today's verse which is fitting for us to start this New Year.  It is a prayer for God's grace to be upon us, that he would establish, give value, significance and meaning to our lives in the coming year.

 

Then as now, there was a lot of uncertainty facing Bonhoeffer, the church and the nation.  He encouraged the Christians then to take a stand for what they believe in, something that would not be easy in the political climate of Germany in the late 30's.

 

Eric Metaxas writes of the situation that Bonhoeffer faced, "The National Socialist's strategy of dividing and conquering its opponents, of confusing and delaying, was working with the Confessing Church.  Bonhoeffer knew that something of this unwillingness to speak out with boldness had to do with money.  The state provided financial security for the pastors of Germany, and even pastors in the Confessing Church would jeopardize their incomes only to a certain point."  No matter what "side" you take in today's political environment, its not too hard to see the dividing and conquering, the confusing and delaying, that is going on.  We can be sure that this will spill over into the spiritual environment as well.  May we stand up against the fray in today's situation and not cave in on what we believe in whether it be in regards to money or to political correctness.

 

We'll end with a New Testament verse, written by the apostle Paul, which conveys the same message.  He was one who went before Bonhoeffer in following hard after God.

 

1 Cor 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in  the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord  your labor is not in vain.   ESV

 

Let us be steadfast and immovable and let the Lord's favor rest on us to establish the work of our hands in faithful service to Him.

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Psalm  90:12-91:1

 

12  So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13  Return, O Lord!  How long?
Have  pity on your  servants!
14 Satisfy us in the  morning with your steadfast love,
that we may  rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have  afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your  work be shown to your  servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the  favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish  the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our  hands!  ESV