Devotion for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity, 18 July
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for the week following the Seventh Sunday after Trinity is taken from the Epistle to the Ephesians, Chapter Two verse 19, “You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,” (NRSVB). The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus to encourage them to grow as believers in the universal body of Christ, the church, the spiritual home of the children of God. Through the love of God and the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, those who were far from God have come close, those who were not included within the covenant between God and Abraham, the Gentiles, have been called into the family of God’s household, as children of God. Together, Jew and Gentile, were called to be reconciled to God in a single body of worshipping believers through Jesus Christ. All believers can enjoy the freedom of a child in the kingdom of their Father, God, for all are citizens of God’s Kingdom and are children in his household. When we contemplate the deep reality of the truth of being children of God, and part of the body of Christ, we can experience worshipping together with one another wherever believers find themselves, for we are united as a family, throughout the world. Belonging to the family of the children of God we are called to be instruments of peace, displaying harmony and oneness of mind and purpose, as we follow our Lord and Master, our example, Jesus Christ, while we journey through life on earth.
Our watchword for this Sunday is taken from the prayer of King David after the prophet Nathan came to declare to him that God instructed that he must not build the temple, but leave it to be built by his descendant after David’s death. However, God promised David that he will bless his kingdom and will establish his throne forever. David praised the Lord and marvelled at his redemption, his promises for the distant future and well-being of the nation of Israel, and for their worship in the future temple. Nathan revealed to David that God took away his Spirit from King Saul, due to Saul’s disobedience. However God promised, already to the prophet Samuel, that his Spirit would never depart from King David, for David acknowledged God as the Lord who brought him and his household thus far. “Therefore You are great , O Lord God; none is like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all You have made our ears to hear,” Second Book of Samuel, Chapter 7 verse 22, (Amplified Bible).
God protected David with his mighty right arm, the arm that is seen as the arm that carries the sword, the arm that fights for the rights of the people. The left arm is symbolized as the arm that carries the shield that protects the soldier from the fiery darts and the sword of the enemy. God affirmed David, for his heart was in right standing with God, for he endeavoured to obey God and trusted and reverently feared Him. David served the Lord with his whole heart, mind, body and soul as he ruled the people of Israel, teaching them to serve the Lord God of Israel with all that is within them. From the lineage of David, the Messiah was born, and the throne of David was established as the throne of God’s righteousness forever and ever in the New Jerusalem, the Temple City of the Lord.
When the Apostle John was banned to the Island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and bearing the testimony of Christ Jesus, God gave him visions of the dominion that would be given to Christ at his victorious return. In his vision he saw Christ as he was depicted in the visions of Daniel and Isaiah, where his voice sounded like the roaring of many waters and his presence was like the presence of the Sun shining at midday. He fell down at his feet in awe, but also with fear. Christ touched him and gave him instruction to write down the mysteries of the visions of the seven lampstands representing the seven congregations in Asia. We read that Christ affirmed John, “He placed his right hand on me, saying: Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one,” Revelation 1 verse 17 to 18, (NRSVB). John was given the authority and command through the Lord, whom he served, to reveal some of the mysteries of the reign of the Kingdom of God as it would be experienced in the Holy City. John saw Jesus Christ as he was reigning as the King of Heaven and earth. He heard the Lamb being praised by the hosts of heaven and earth, for He is worthy and his Name is above all Names. The writings of John in the Book of Revelations end as it began, Christ affirming to him, “I am the Alpha and Omega. I am coming quickly.” And with the Apostle John we can also say, “Yes, Come Lord Jesus!”
Father, we thank you that you have called us your children through the work of your Son for us, we come to you and ask that you will let your will be done on earth. We pray and ask that you will come Lord Jesus, come, Amen.
