Preparing for Worship - August 14, 2022

The Scriptures this week are challenging because they speak of the “fiery” challenges we may face at times in our lives because many are opposed to God and His will and will be a challenge to us, too

The Psalm is Psalm 119:81-88, at the very middle of this long psalm praising God and the blessings of His Word. The psalmist admits that he has “persecutors,” “insolent“ people who are against God and His Word and Law and therefore oppose him, too, with “falsehood.” The psalmist feels as worn and shriveled as a “wineskin in the smoke” above a hot fire. Yet he “hopes in God’s Word” and prays that he may faithfully “keep the testimonies of the mouth of the Lord.

The Old Testament lesson is from Jeremiah 23:16-29. The Lord sees many so-called prophets around Jeremiah, “who speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” They create many problems and much confusion for people with their lies. The Lord commands Jeremiah to keep speaking the truth. “Let him who has my Word speak my Word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? Is not my Word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” That powerful Word of God needs to be shared, even in the midst of opposition.

Jesus is “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 8:9, John 14:27). Yet in our Gospel lesson, Luke 12:49-53 (54-56), Jesus says that He has come to bring “fire” and “division” on the earth. He does not wish that, but knows that many will oppose Him and His believers and that a “baptism” of “distress” and suffering is coming for Him, as He dies on the cross to pay the penalty for all sins. Sadly, people can predict the weather from signs in the earth and sky, but too many cannot see and believe that Jesus is the Promised Savior, coming to rescue people.

The Epistle lesson continues a reading from last week from Hebrews - Hebrews 11:17-31 (32-40) 12:1-3. We hear of more people who lived “by faith” in God’s promises, from Abraham and his descendants to Moses to David and the prophets, and so many more. “Some were tortured. Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment.” They kept the faith and will have life, yet did not see the ultimate fulfillment in “Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith.” We can “run with endurance the race set before us,” too, with our eyes on Jesus, who “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The alternate Gospel reading for St. James, Revelation 21:1-8, reminds believers in Christ that they, and we, too, will enjoy eternal life with Him. Though there will be sorrows and trials in this life, in heaven there will “not be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore” and those opposed to God will be in “the lake of fire” and will not trouble the children of God any longer.