Psalm 119:25-32, Isaiah 40:18-41:10, Revelation 8:1-13 - Lectionary for 12/20/11 - Commemoration of Katharina von Bora Luther

Today is the commemoration of Katharina von Bora Luther. Today's readings are Psalm 119:25-32, Isaiah 40:18-41:10, and Revelation 8:1-13. In our times of turmoil we do not need to fear. Unlike the pagans, who make gods in their own images, we serve the one who has shown himself as the true and living God. He is not the work of our hands or of our imagination. The God of the Bible is the creator of all, not subject to any of our whims, but able to accomplish his purposes by his mighty hand. Again today we see that this characteristic of God is a comfort for those who trust him but a terror for those who do not. Do we realize that Jesus has given himself to reconcile people to God? Do we see that he took our disobedience and its penalty on himself, becoming sin for us and suffering on our behalf? May the Lord of all mercy and grace grant us to trust in him. The work is done. We no longer bear our sin and shame. Jesus has done it for us.