WHAT IS REVERENCE?

"Reverence is holy fear clothed with faith. Reverence acknowledges that the Lord is holy, that we are sinners, & that the Lord forgives sinners. Reverence is a holy respect before the Lord's power, majesty, & might. Reverence leaves us with astonishment, awe, & silent, faith-filled gratitude, knowing that the God of the universe--who could have destroyed you & me for our sin--chose to redeem us unto life." Matthew Richard, Minute Messages

WHAT IS FAIR? *

"A lot of times God's justice, true justice, looks like unfairness. The mere fact that the guy who has been a believer since he was old enough to understand faith & the guy on his deathbed who's led the most evil life imaginable can both find salvation & full acceptance from the Father is baffling, if not unsettling, to the human mind. In our lives here on earth we have set up our own ideas of justice & what is right & wrong, but God often has a different idea. His ways are far better than your ways, His thoughts far better than your thoughts, so when things seem unfair & justice doesn't seem to be served, just remember that God's plan is not to make you happy but to make you holy. How you react to the situations in life that demand justice, not how you feel about those situations, will determine your holiness. Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy

* CAVEAT:  I've underlined the passage that sounds like decision theology. Lutherans confess that we have been a believer since we were baptized, NOT since we were old enough to understand faith. It's all about God's choice, not ours.

FORGIVENESS

"But who can fully express what an unspeakable, mighty, & blessed comfort it is that one human being can with a word open heaven & lock hell for another? In this kingdom of grace which Christ has established through His resurrection, we do nothing other than open our mouths & say, 'I forgive you your sins, not by myself or from my own power, but in the stead & in the name of Jesus Christ.' He does not say, 'You should forgive sins because of yourselves'; rather:  'I am sending you as the Father has sent Me' (John 20:21). I Myself have not done this by My own choice or counsel, but I was sent by the Father for this purpose. I am giving you the same command, even to the end of the world, so that you & all the world can know that this forgiving or retaining of sin does not happen by human power or might, but by the command of the one who sends you.

"This is said not only to those who are preachers or pastors but also to all Christians. In the hour of death or in any other need, each one can comfort & speak absolution to another. Now, when you hear from me the words 'Your sins are forgiven,' then you are hearing that God wants to be gracious to you, deliver you from sin & death, justify, & save you." A Year in the Gospels with Martin Luther

A PRAYER FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP

"Lord, keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves & a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, & serve You faithfully in our generation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Lutheran Service Book

A HYMN FOR TODAY *

"In Thee Is Gladness" (LSB #818)

In Thee is gladness Amid all sadness, Jesus sunshine of my heart. By Thee are given The gifts of heaven, Thou the true Redeemer art. Our souls Thou wakest Our bonds Thou breakest; Who trust Thee surely Has built securely; He stands forever:  Alleluia! Our hearts are pining to see Thy shining, Dying or living To Thee are cleaving; Naught can us sever:  Alleluia!

If He is ours, We fear no powers, Not of earth nor sin nor death. He sees & blesses In worst distresses; He can change them with a breath. Wherefore the story Tell of His glory With hearts & voices; All heav'n rejoices In Him forever:  Alleluia! We shout for gladness Triumph o'er sadness, Love Him & praise Him And still shall raise Him Glade hymns forever:  Alleluia! 

* BACKSTORY:  When Lois & I were planning our wedding, we chose this as one of the hymns. At the time, it was probably our favorite hymn. We neglected to consider one thing. After we were all situated up front & the congregation began to sing, it suddenly dawned on us. We didn't have the words in front of us. And we didn't know the hymn from heart. Consequently, we really couldn't sing along. If we renew our vows on our 50th anniversary, we won't make the same mistake.