Yesterday's events in the capitol literally left me with a queasy stomach. What has happened to our country? These actions can't be condoned for any reason. I fear that we're stooping to the level of those who have hated our soon-to-be ex-president. The news from Georgia is equally distressing. I fear that we are in for a long four years. I continue to pray that our lights would shine among men, that by our good works, God would be glorified.

These words from my devotion this morning really resonated with me.

"Regardless of the darkness we feel around us, our prayer is the same. 'Lord, keep us safe in this home until we come to Yours. Make me know Your hand is here.' We pray that when answers can't yet be seen, our Father's hand will always be known. Push aside the trouble, fears, & pain so that, even if they are still there, what we know & trust is God's hand. That will make the difference."  "Our Way Home:  A Journey Through the Lord's Prayer," by Daniel Paavola.

A PRAYER AT A TIME OF NATIONAL CRISIS OR CALAMITY

"Heavenly Father, I come to Your throne of mercy, bowed down & wearied by the weight of suffering & disaster visited upon our country. I beg You to protect this nation in our hour of need. I acknowledge my trespasses before You & do not deny either my own transgressions of Your holy Law or the sins of other citizens of my homeland. We are laden with iniquity, but You call us to Your forgiveness, salvation, hope, & life. Turn the hearts & minds of all to You, that they might find peace through the cleansing of Jesus' blood. Let me not be confounded or dismayed, so that I, a child of Your grace, may courageously speak to this needy world of the hope that is within me. Make me an instrument of Your peace in a world of conflict, a witness to the power of faith in a world lost in unbelief, & a bearer of the joy that overcomes the sorrow of a fallen world. Grant to the leaders of this nation & all the nations of the world wise counsel, calm thinking, & unselfish aims. Amid the tumult of disaster, build Your kingdom & turn even more souls to Yourself. Because of Your grace, we are not altogether lost but find peace & forgiveness in You. O Lord, give me the grace to seek You, trust You, & confess You; in Jesus' name. Amen."  Lutheran Prayer Book

JESUS' EYES

"What was it that drew men to Jesus? Yes, He spoke with authority & He did miraculous & wonderful deeds, but I think the one thing that men could not ignore was the compassion & love that came from His heart & on to His face & into His words & deeds. If we abide in Him as He abides in us, we begin to see things differently. We begin to look at things with His eyes."  Bob Benson, Men's Devotional Bible

THE ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON

"God gives His only-begotten Son so that we would not perish. He gives us His Son for us so that we can be received as sons of God by grace. The Father called Him from the womb, from the body of His mother (Is. 49:1) with the name Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). There can be no rebirth without the birth of the sinless Son. There can be no eternal life with God unless the promised offspring obeys to the point of death. He had to be counted as a stubborn son so we could be reckoned as obedient offspring.

"He took up residence in the womb of the Virgin so that He could be placed in the tomb of the earth. The Seed of the woman had to be sown into the ground in order to sprout forth in new life for us. He ascended like a young plant, & like a root out of the dry land (Is. 53:2). Because of the suffering & success of the Son, the Father waters the thirsty ground & pours out His Holy Spirit upon all His offspring (Is. 44:3)."  Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, The Lutheran Witness, Dec. 2020

AN EPIPHANY HYMN *

* "O Jesus, King of Glory," Sts. 1, 5, 6

"O Jesus, King of glory, Both David's Lord & Son! Your realm endures forever, In heaven is Your throne. Help that in earth's dominions, From pole to farthest pole, Your reign may spread salvation To each benighted soul.

"Oh, look on me with pity Though I am weak & poor; Admit me to Your kingdom To dwell there, blest & sure. I pray, Lord, guide & keep me Safe from my bitter foes, From sin & death & Satan; Free me from all my woes.

"Then let Your Word within me Shine as the fairest star, Your reign of love revealing How wonderful You are. Help me confess You truly And with Your Christendom Here own You King & Savior With all the world to come."