Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-79 In Jeremiah God talks about the false shepherds, the Judean Kings who destroy and scatter the sheep. Days are coming, however, when God will raise up a righteous branch of David who will be a wise king who executes justice and righteousness in the land. This king will bring salvation to Judea and will be called the Lord of Righteousness. This is the first messianic prophecy in the book of Jeremiah. God says the Lord will raise up true shepherds who will shepherd them – guide and protect them. Due to this they no longer fear. Our passage in Luke is another Messianic prophecy this time done by Zechariah whose son will be John the Baptist. John will be one of the good shepherds mentioned in Jeremiah. Zechariah tells how his son will be the prophet of the most high and give God’s people knowledge of salvation by forgiveness of sins in Christ. Zechariah talks about how what Jeremiah has prophesied is coming true. God has remembered God’s covenant to Abrah...

Isaiah 12, II Thessalonians 3:6-13 Isaiah has just told in chapter 11 about how the remnant of the Jews will return to Jerusalem. Their exile and hard life has come from worshipping foreign gods and not living God’s laws, not doing what is right. However, in chapter 12 he tells how God’s anger has turned away and has comforted him. The Lord is his strength and salvation and he praises the Lord for God has done gloriously. The time has come when the Israelites have returned to the Lord and are doing what is right. Our II Thessalonians passage exhorts the new brothers and sisters in Christ to not grow weary – or become tired of doing what is right. They are to keep away from those not living righteously according to the tradition they were taught by the apostles. These irresponsible folks are not doing any work. Paul tells how his apostles were an example to imitate since they worked day and night to support themselves, eat their own bread, to not burden the church. Paul and his fell...

 Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21; II Thessalonians 2:13-17 David in Psalm 145 praises the Lord for God’s unsearchable greatness. He tells how each generation will share God’s mighty works and acts to the following one and so on. David is comforted by the knowledge that the Lord is just in all God’s ways and kind in all God’s doings. He is confident that the Lord is near all who call on God fulfilling the desires of those who respect God. He talks about how the Lord watches over all who love God. The Lord is said to not only hear their cry but to save them. This faith in the greatness of God and the Lord’s protection of us comes down to us from generation to generation and in II Thessalonians we are told to stand firm and hold fast the traditions that have been taught us. Paul is writing to the first Christians after Jesus resurrection, calling them the first fruits for salvation by the Spirit and belief in the truth. They have been called through the gospel to obtain the glory of our Lord...

Psalms 119:137-144, Ephesians 1:15-23 In Psalms 119 the psalmist praises the Lord for God’s righteousness. Though the writer is faithful to the Lord, he is frustrated about his foes who forget God’s words though he himself doesn’t forget God’s precepts. Trouble and anguish have come upon him so he is confused and asks the Lord to give him understanding so he can continue his godly life. In our Ephesians passage Paul is commending the faith of the ones he writes to. He too wishes that they would have understanding – that God would give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation. He prays that their eyes of their hearts will be enlightened and that they may perceive – understand- the hope God has called them. Could this be what our psalmist needs to hear? Does he need hope in his belief when trouble seems to come? Paul also prays that they would know the richness of their glorious inheritance among the saints. Included in this is the immeasurable greatness of God’s power for those wh...

Psalm 65:1-5, 8-13; Joel:23-32 Both of these passages from the Old Testament are full of rejoicing, gladness, and praise for the Lord who has delivered them from drought. Not only on their farmlands but spiritually in their own lives. Psalm 65 is attributed to David. It is a song of praise for God’s works. At the temple of Mt. Zion worshipers would fulfill vows of thankfulness for God’s help. David tells how the Lord answers prayers. God has shown God’s power by creating and sustaining the world. The goodness of thy house may refer to a festival meal celebrating a plentiful harvest. What caused this great harvest? It was the water God provides through the rain and the rivers. It says the Lord waters the furrows – trenches where seeds are planted, abundantly blessing their growth. The pastures and the hills overflow not only with plants for the flocks to eat but they gird themselves with joy. From this water the valleys deck themselves with grain. Both meadows and valleys shout to...