25 Sep October 19th Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

FILLED WITH JESUS

2 Corinthians 4:7-10  “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

The new pastor was installed on Sunday, early Monday morning an elderly couple from his congregation was tragically killed in an auto accident.  Wednesday, a third-grade girl from the Christian Day School was diagnosed with terminal cancer, on Friday there was another auto accident where two couples from his congregation all died on their way to a movie. (A true story)

How did this pastor deal with so much in such a short time at the very beginning of his new ministry?  He learned his ministry from those pastors that came before him all the way back to that of St. Paul who certainly experienced every possible trouble and heartache one can imagine who wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

This pastor shared with the grieving families and congregation members the message of hope he was called to bring to his new congregation.  That hope is well spoken of in the hymn, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  On Christ the solid rock I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand.”

In the joys and tragedies of life your pastor will point you to Jesus, your Good Shepherd, who will, when necessary, lift you up and carry you through the valleys of life to the mountain tops. By the power of the Gospel he preaches and the sacraments he administers the Holy Spirit, through your pastor will, comfort you.

Your pastor has the comforting Good News of God’s love for you in Christ Jesus.  Through this message he will assure you constantly that “neither life, nor death, nor things present, nor things to come . . . shall separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus your Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

Prayer:  Bless me Lord, through my pastor, with Your grace and mercy to carry me through this life to eternal life with you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

If Your beloved Son, O God, Had not to earth descended

And in our mortal flesh and blood Had not sin’s power ended,

Then this poor, wretched soul of mine In hell eternally would pine

Because of my transgressions.

But now I find sweet peace and rest;

Despair no more reigns o’er me. No more am I by sin oppressed,

For Christ has borne sin for me. Upon the cross for me He died

That, reconciled, I might abide With You, my God, forever.

I trust in Him with all my heart; Now all my sorrow ceases.

His words abiding peace impart; His blood from guilt releases.

Free grace through Him I now obtain;

He washes me from ev’ry stain, And pure I stand before Him.

All righteousness by works is vain; The Law brings condemnation.

True righteousness by faith I gain; Christ’s work is my salvation.

His death, that perfect sacrifice, Has paid the all-sufficient price;

In Him my hope is anchored.

My guilt, O Father, You have laid On Christ, Your Son, my Savior.

Lord, Jesus, You my debt have paid And gained for me God’s favor.

O Holy Spirit, Fount of grace, the good in me to You I trace;

In faith and hope preserve me.

(LSB 568)