An Advent Devotional for Dec 5

Walking in the Truth

Today's Scripture

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3

Commit Your Work to the Lord (by Martin Luther) *

"Someone who is a magistrate, a householder, a servant, a teacher, a pupil etc., should remain in his calling & do his duty there, properly & faithfully, without concerning himself about what lies outside his own vocation. If he does this, he will have his boast within himself, so that he can say: 'With my utmost faithfulness & diligence I have carried out the work of my calling as God has commanded me to; & therefore I know this work, performed in faith & obedience to God, is pleasing to Him. if others slander it, that does not matter much.'"
* Source:  excerpt from Martin Luther Day by Day, published by Concordia Publishing House.

A Hymn Instead of a Prayer Thought Today

Instead of a prayer thought today, I've included several stanzas from a favorite hymn, I Am Forever Who I Am. It is a hymn that I sometimes incorporate into my daily quiet time. Unfortunately, I cannot attribute it, because I have a photocopy which only includes the music & lyrics.

St. 1  Though mountains slide into the sea, And waters rush where fields should be,
Though monuments & nations fall, Your holy city stands through all,
When nothing seems to stay the same, You teach us Your eternal name,
I AM forever Who I AM.
Above you, beneath you, Around you & within you,
Be still & know that I AM God.

St. 4  Like shepherds watching for the light, Aware of dangers in the night,
We hear the angels:  "Do not fear, The Savior of the world is near."
We run, we see, we touch, we laugh:  You came to earth on our behalf.
I AM forever Who I AM.
Above you, beneath you, Around you & within you,
Be still & know that I AM God.

St. 5  Each generation looks for truth, And doubt can trouble age or youth.
If other gods would take Your place, Remember us with love & grace.
Reclaim us if we go astray; You are the Truth, the Life, the Way.
I Am forever Who I AM.
Above you, beneath you, Around you & within you,
Be still & know that I AM God.

St. 6  Some days seem long, though life is brief, And death is waiting like a thief. 
When vision fades & dreams go dry, We will on unseen things rely.
Our stories take up but a page, But Yours goes on from age to age.
I AM forever Who I Am.
Above you, beneath you, Around you & within you,
Be still & know that I AM God.

A Reminder

Since I did not write Advent devotions for Lutheran High Northeast in 2014-15, due to my medical leave, instead of writing original devotionals for my blog, I am using excerpts written by Martin Luther, found in the devotional book referenced above. I hope you agree with me that Dr. Luther is eminently more qualified than I, although I admit that some of his language may sound a little archaic, writing from the 16th century, as he is. *
* And, in case you need a reminder, I am unabashedly a Lutheran. While Dr. Luther is a fallible human, like you & me, I am confident that he writes the truth, based on The Truth found in Holy Scripture.