The Daily Bible Readings for SUNDAY, August 23, 2020 — 12th Sunday After Pentecost

The Daily Bible Readings

SUNDAY, August 23, 2020 — 12th Sunday After Pentecost

Conspiracy of Hearts

Exodus 1:8—2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Opening Sentences

The life of faith is lived in community, where many gifts support the body of Christ. In the Exodus account, women work together to oppose injustice and protect life. The midwives disobey Pharaoh and call forth new life. Moses lives because of his mother, sister, and the daughter of Pharaoh. In Romans, Paul names the differing gifts that support the community, the body of Christ. In Matthew, Peter names Jesus for who he is, and a new community, the church, begins to take root.

Opening Prayer

We thank you, O Lord, that we are not alone. You watch over us, guide us, and lead us in your righteous pathways. When we stumble and fall, you lift us up and gently place us on that pathway again. When we doubt, you surround us with your mercy and peace, reassuring us of your presence through the love of others and of our savior Jesus Christ. Keep our hearts and minds open and ready to serve you, for we pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

There are far too many times, O Lord, when we have neglected or ignored the needs of others because it just wasn’t convenient for us to help. We backed away with excuses on our lips and indifference in our hearts. Forgive us and set us on the right path of service and compassion in the name of Jesus who modeled faithful living for us. Remind us that we are residents of a global community. Help us to hear the plight of those who have been voiceless. With the gifts that we have and the love of Christ, direct our lives in compassionate service to others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Through the abundance of God’s mercy and forgiving love, you are empowered to be disciples, to reach out to others, to offer the words and deeds of hope in a struggling world. God’s blessings are poured over you for this service.

First Reading

Exodus 1:8—2:10

Pharaoh’s daughter takes Moses in

1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:

10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.

11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

2:1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.

4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.

6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.

7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.

9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and nursed it.

10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

Psalm 124

We have escaped like a bird

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;

2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

6 Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Second Reading

Romans 12:1-8

One body in Christ with gifts that differ

12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

The Gospel

Matthew 16:13-20

The profession of Peter’s faith

16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostles’ Creed

• I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

• I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

• I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

<Video - The Lord's Prayer - Our Father Who Art in Heaven(360)>

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us;. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Communion

A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Many churches around the world are working hard to adapt to online worship, and one challenge is how our members can celebrate communion from home. Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present.

Sending

Resist the powers that use people. Hear the cries of the weak. Dare to work for justice. Know that God—Source, Word, and Spirit—is your help, will keep you safe, and will bring you new life. You are blessed by God and sent to serve. Amen.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).

The Daily Bible Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Bible Readings
SUNDAY, August 23, 2020 — 12th Sunday After Pentecost
Conspiracy of Hearts
Exodus 1:8—2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20
The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

“Who Do You Say I Am?” (Matthew 16:13-20)

Today, our gospel message comes to us from Matthew 16:13-20, “The profession of Peter’s faith.”

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ (ESV).

Heavenly Father, you sent your Son to reveal your will for our lives and redeem us from sin and death. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, inspire us with confidence that you are with us in the midst of the storms of life, bring peace to our troubled souls, and lead your church throughout the ages. Enable us to live as your redeemed saints, that our lives may witness to our faith. This we ask in Christ’s holy name. Amen.

“Who Do You Say I Am?”

INTRODUCTION

It is helpful at times to ask ourselves hard questions. They help us get our bearings and make sure that we are headed along the path that we want to walk to achieve the goals to which we feel called. Today we ponder the question, “Who do you say that I am?”

THE SETTING

Jesus asked his disciples this question when they were at Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea Philippi was the farthest point north from Jerusalem. It was the place were several contrasting religions—Canaanite (Baal), Egyptian, Greek, and Roman—had places of worship. This story also took place just before Jesus turned south and headed toward Jerusalem and his destiny.

Jesus first asks who the people think he may be. The disciples answer that people are speculating that Jesus might be the reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah, who was prophesized to precede the Messiah, or one of Israel’s great prophets. No one had figured out that Jesus might be the Messiah, because Jesus was so different from the Messiah that they were expecting.

After listening to what the people around the countryside thought of him, Jesus asks his disciples, “And who do you say that I am?” They are silent except for Peter, who says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Peter had been walking with Jesus for three years, and being inspired by the Holy Spirit, it is finally revealed to Peter who Jesus really is—the Messiah for whom Israel has been waiting.

THE CONFESSION

There was a greater difference between the fact that Peter made a confession and the general populous conjured up mere speculation. Along with Peter’s proclamation that Jesus was the Christ, came the commitment to follow Jesus as one of his disciples. The speculation of the people cost them nothing and affected their lives very little. Peter’s confession (and the confession of the church that followed) cost him everything and changed his life completely.

Today we can follow the example of the people and only speculate who Jesus might be—keeping an open mind for other possibilities. We can worship God, sing songs of praise, and listen to sermons and prayers while hesitating to make a commitment—wanting to keep our options open. Without the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord, and the commitment to become his disciple, there is little or no motivation to commit our time, talents, or treasures to his service—let alone our lives.

If we are brothers and sisters of Peter, though, we receive the revelation that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God; that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. We also open ourselves to the life-changing possibilities that such a confession opens to us and commit ourselves to live in reality by committing our lives—time, talents, and treasures—to loving God, serving and neighbor, and experiencing the abundant life that is ours.

Who we say that God is, by our words and actions, makes a huge difference in how we live out our lives.

OTHER NAMES FOR GOD

Peter experienced Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Throughout the Scriptures, God has revealed himself to people differently and touched their lives in various ways.

• For the Psalmist, God was a good shepherd who led him to green pastures, cool streams, and walked with him through the valley of the shadow of death.

• In Psalm 46, the writer sees God as his refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

• Several times in the Old Testament, the Lord is referred to as God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.

• The prophet Isaiah writes that the Messiah will be titled, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.”

• The name Jesus or Joshua can be translated, “God saves.”

• Jesus is called Emmanuel, or “God with us.”

Each of us has experienced God in our lives in different ways.

• God is our provider giving us our daily bread.

• God is our comport, surrounding us with his love in times of grief.

• God is our peace, calming the storms of our lives, walking with us through troubled times, and giving us the strength to persevere and overcome.

CONCLUSION

Who do you say that God is? If he is your Lord and Savior, then commit your life to him and offer your time, talents, and treasures as your living sacrifice. If God is your provider, comfort, or peace, then give of your time, talents, and treasures, so that the church can be provider, comfort, and peace to the people around us.

No one can answer this question for you. You cannot poll the crowd and go with the largest response. This question is a question that you must answer for yourself and allow your confession to direct the path of your life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a Lord who walks beside your people. So we pray for people who walk for justice.

You are a Lord who raises up those who are bent low. So we pray for those held down by the grindings of life and the indifference of the world.

You are a Lord who feeds the hungry. So we pray for all who long for bread and the means to provide it.

You are a Lord who celebrates the small and the insignificant. So we pray for the children and for those who are never noticed.

You are a Lord who says, ‘Follow me.’ So we pray for courage and faith in our hearts that we may take up the cross and find it leads to life.

You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Amen.

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Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Sermon contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn.
Saying that Jesus is our Lord and Savior demands that we back up our words with actions.

The Daily Prayer for SUNDAY, August 23, 2020

The Daily Prayer

SUNDAY, August 23, 2020

Mother Teresa said, “We are called to be contemplatives in the heart of the world—by seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, everywhere, all the time, and his hand in every happening; seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.”

God of mercy, you cast the mighty from their thrones and lift up the lowly. Free us from the ghettoes of poverty and the ghettoes of wealth that we might meet on the level ground at the foot of the cross. Amen.

Verse of the Day SUNDAY, August 23, 2020

Psalm 94:18-19
When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Read all of Psalm 94

Listen to Psalm 94

Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Ichthus Ministries Daily Devotions — O Love, How Deep

O Love, How Deep

♫ "O love, how deep, how broad, how high, Beyond all thought and fantasy, That God, the Son of God, should take, Our mortal form for mortals' sake!

"He sent no angel to our race, Of higher or of lower place, But wore the robe of human frame, And to this world Himself He came." ♫

A beautiful sunrise or the bright field of stars in the vastness of space display God's creative power, but so does the intricate beauty of a tiny flower. These created things, large and small, reflect His majesty and His love, which are beyond measure. In the life of Abraham, God used the measureless beauty of His creation to reveal the equally boundless blessings of His love for the world. God challenged Abraham to count the stars and the grains of sand on the shore; that would be the number of Abraham's offspring. From among those countless descendants, Israel's Messiah, the Savior of the world, would be born.

We needed a Savior because we were sinful beyond measure. Trapped and overwhelmed by sin, we could not save ourselves. When we were lost in sin, the deep, broad, high love of God reached down to save us, but He "sent no angel" to set us free from sin. From Adam to Abraham and beyond, the family history of the Messiah is traced through the centuries. Generation after generation, through captivity and exile to Israel's return, through years of foreign occupation, the Messiah's ancestry is preserved. God the Son, Israel's long-awaited Messiah and the Savior of the world, came to earth wearing "the robe of human frame." The God whom "heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain" (1 Kings 8:27b) laid aside His majesty to be born among us. He was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger in Bethlehem.

No angel could deliver us from the curse of sin and death. Only Jesus, true God and true Man, could take the world's sins onto Himself and carry them to the cross. Only God in "mortal form" could suffer and die "for mortals' sake." His was a sacrifice "beyond all thought and fantasy." By God's grace, through faith in our crucified and risen Lord, we have received forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life. The cross and empty tomb have revealed "the breadth and length and height and depth" of God's love in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:18b).

"O love, how deep, how broad, how high!" The immeasurable love of God in Christ is at work in our hearts and lives. Others see this as we are moved by the Spirit to share that love in words of witness and acts of service in Jesus' Name. The deep, broad, high love of God moved the apostle Paul to words of praise: "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Lord and Savior, by the power of the Holy Spirit, lead us to share Your immeasurable love with others. Amen.

Dr. Carol Geisler

Reflection Questions:

1. When do you sense you are most in need of God's love and forgiveness?

2. How would you put into words what God has done by becoming one of us, to save us?

3. When has God done for you more than you asked?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
When do you sense you are most in need of God's love and forgiveness?

Standing Strong Through the Storm — JOY IN THE MORNING

JOY IN THE MORNING

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

— James 1:27

God’s love compels us to feed the hungry, empower the poor, defend the weak, and help those who are suffering. When we do these things, it includes encouraging and strengthening those persecuted for their faith in Christ. The Church has often led the way in education and medical services in developing countries until governments or other local agencies take over.

Brother Andrew says that giving humanitarian aid is a picture of Jesus knocking at the door of our hearts (our lives) in Revelation chapter three. The doors of many hearts in the church are closed to acts of mercy and love in action. Therefore, Jesus stands knocking at the door of our hearts asking that we open that door and let Him in. His coming into our lives enables us to do acts of love.

“They killed my husband before my very own eyes. As if that wasn’t enough, they destroyed everything by burning down our house including my dear husband’s workshop.” These were the words of Esther, the widow whose husband was killed by jihadists in Nigeria in January 2010.

For the mother of seven, life became unbearable. The house that her children called home no longer existed and the daunting absence of an income was an inevitable reality. To worsen their circumstances, the in-laws abandoned Esther and her children. Surrounded by walls of a room too small for eight people, depression threatened to overshadow her and Esther cried night and day, asking God for a way out.

She truly needed a shoulder to lean on. A friend told us her story and from there Open Doors provided financial support for this family. As a result, the family was able to move into an apartment in a Christian area, with enough room for everyone. The new home lent enough space for Esther to even start working from home. She is a tailor by profession and hopes to rent a shop in the near future.

Esther thought it wise to take some of the money and start a vegetable garden on a small scale. The idea is to feed her family and at the same time generate income from it. She is confident that her vegetable business will grow to the point where she will be able to send the children to school.

“If Open Doors had not come to my aid,” Esther concluded with tears, “what would have become of me and my children? For all I know, we all would have been dead, either by the hands of Jihadists or hunger. As for my husband’s killers—though it’s been difficult—through your prayers and encouragement I’ve been able to forgive them.”

RESPONSE: Today I will live in awareness of those around me needing help and respond appropriately.

PRAYER: Lord, give me Your compassion for people in need. May I be an agent of Your love today.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

John Piper Devotional — God Is Not an Idolator

God Is Not an Idolator

When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

— 2 Thessalonians 1:10

People stumble over the teaching that God exalts his own glory and seeks to be praised by his people because the Bible teaches us not to be like that. For example, the Bible says that love “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NASB).

How can God be loving and yet be utterly devoted to “seeking his own” glory and praise and joy? How can God be for us if he is so utterly for himself?

The answer I propose is this: Because God is unique as an all-glorious, totally self-sufficient Being, he must be for himself if he is to be for us. The rules of humility that belong to a creature cannot apply in the same way to its Creator.

If God should turn away from himself as the Source of infinite joy, he would cease to be God. He would deny the infinite worth of his own glory. He would imply that there is something more valuable outside himself. He would commit idolatry.

This would be no gain for us. For where can we go when our God has become unrighteous? Where will we find a Rock of integrity in the universe when the heart of God has ceased to value supremely the supremely valuable? Where shall we turn with our adoration when God himself has forsaken the claims of infinite worth and beauty?

No, we do not turn God’s self-exaltation into love by demanding that God cease to be God.

Instead, we must come to see that God is love precisely because he relentlessly pursues the praises of his name in the hearts of his people.
How can God be for us if he is so utterly for himself?

Un dia a la Vez — El servicio: Viaje misionero al Perú

El servicio: Viaje misionero al Perú

Alégrense en la esperanza, muestren paciencia en el sufrimiento, perseveren en la oración. Ayuden a los hermanos necesitados. Practiquen la hospitalidad.

— Romanos 12:12-13

Nunca antes había apreciado tanto la palabra «servicio» como en el viaje misionero al Perú. Un viaje que me dejó muchas enseñanzas y experiencias. Que me hizo reflexionar, valorar y reconocer que tengo el mejor Padre del mundo, Dios, y que soy bendecida de verdad.

El Señor hubiera podido determinar que tú y yo naciéramos en un hogar con extrema pobreza. Sin embargo, no fue así. Es posible que ahora estés pasando necesidades, yo también las he vivido en etapas de mi vida. Con todo, nunca ha sido una vida de grandes miserias.

Jamás seremos capaces de entender y valorar tanto esto como cuando tenemos contacto con la necesidad de otros. Eso fue lo que vimos en la visita que hicimos a la plaza de Canadá, en el Callao, durante este viaje misionero. La vida sencillamente no vale nada. Hay calles a las que ni las autoridades pueden entrar porque allí reinan la droga, la prostitución y la inseguridad.

Cuando llegamos, la gente nos miraba con extrañeza. No obstante, a medida que pasábamos horas en el lugar, se acercaban a nosotros. En esa plaza se realizaron servicios evangelísticos donde cada noche más de ciento ochenta personas recibieron a Jesús. Además, se les llevó servicio médico bajo carpa y se les entregaron medicinas y ropas. Daba gusto ver las caras de felicidad y agradecimiento.

Cuando tengas la oportunidad de servir, no lo dudes ni un instante. Es el mejor regalo que puedes darle a la humanidad.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Nunca antes había apreciado tanto la palabra «servicio» como en el viaje misionero al Perú.

Unser Täglich Brot — Fischen verboten

Fischen verboten

Lesung: Psalm 130 | Die Bibel in einem Jahr: Psalm 113-115; 1. Korinther 6

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[Gott wird] alle unsere Übertretungen ins tiefe Meer werfen.

— Micha 7,19

Corrie ten Boom wusste, wie wichtig Vergebung ist. In ihrem Buch Weltreisende im Auftrag Gottes schrieb sie, ihr liebstes Bild sei, wie vergebene Schuld ins Meer geworfen werde. „Wenn wir unsere Sünde bekennen, wirft Gott sie in den tiefsten Ozean, sie ist weg . . . Ich denke, Gott stellt dann ein Schild auf, auf dem steht ‚Fischen verboten‘.“

Sie weist damit auf eine wichtige Tatsache hin, die der Glaubende manchmal nicht ganz begreift—wenn Gott unsere Fehler vergibt, dann ist uns wirklich ganz vergeben! Wir müssen unser schändliches Verhalten nicht immer wieder hervorkramen und unsere Schuldgefühle pflegen.

„Fischen verboten“ könnte man auch über Psalm 130 schreiben. Der Psalmist betont, dass obwohl Gott gerecht ist, vergibt er denen, die ihre Schuld bereuen: „Doch du schenkst uns Vergebung“ (V. 4). Während er auf Gott hofft und sein Vertrauen auf ihn setzt (V. 5), sagt er voll Vertrauen: „Er selbst wird Israel befreien von allen seinen Sünden“ (V. 8). Wer an ihn glaubt, findet „viel Erlösung“ (V. 7 LUT).

Wenn wir von Schuld- und Minderwertigkeitsgefühlen geplagt werden, können wir Gott nicht mit unserem ganzen Herzen dienen. Die Vergangenheit hält uns fest. Wenn Dinge, die du getan hast, dich lähmen, dann bitte Gott um Hilfe, damit du an das Geschenk seiner Vergebung wirklich glauben kannst. Er hat unsere Sünden ins Meer geworfen!

Gibt es in deinem Leben eine bestimmte Sünde, von der du meinst, Gott könnte sie nicht vergeben? Gott will dir Vergebung schenken und dich davon befreien!

Vergebender Gott, du hast deinen Sohn Jesus gesandt, um mich von Schuld und Sünde zu erlösen. Hilf mir, in der Freiheit der Vergebung zu leben.

Von Amy Boucher Pye

© 2020 Unser Täglich Brot
In ihrem Buch Weltreisende im Auftrag Gottes schrieb sie, ihr liebstes Bild sei, wie vergebene Schuld ins Meer geworfen werde.