Devotion for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity, Sunday 19 September
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for the week following the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity is taken from the Second Letter to Timothy, Chapter One verse Ten, “Christ Jesus has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” (NRSVB). The Apostle, Paul, wrote this pastoral letter to Timothy, one of the pastors whom he trained and ordained. He encouraged him to keep the faith and not to become disheartened, even, as he, Paul, had been jailed in Rome for preaching the gospel. This gospel, or Good News, is that Jesus Christ came and annulled the power of death, therefore the fear of death has lost its venom, the sting of death has been destroyed. One can understand the concern that Timothy had for the safety of Paul and for the members of the congregation, for persecutions started to escalate. In this letter Paul reminded Timothy and stated, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm. Hold fast and follow the pattern of wholesome and sound teaching in the faith and love which are for us in Christ Jesus. Guard and keep the precious and excellent Truth which has been entrusted to you,” (Amplified Bible).
We have been entrusted with the same precious gift, the knowledge of the gift of grace of God, through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, on the Cross, for us. We have been entrusted with the same spirit of power and love and calm, that Paul discussed in this pastoral letter. The truth of the gospel of Christ’s love and victory for us, empowers us to wait on him without fear. He will break open the prison doors that capture people in a state of fear. He will shine the light of the good news of the gospel on them. We have to continue to teach the precious gospel of our Lord, even when we experience opposition.
Our watchword for today is taken from Psalm Thirty Seven verse Eight, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret – it leads only to evil,” (NRSVB). In this psalm of David he instructs the reader not to fret. In the language of the psalmist, to fret means to constantly worry and anxiously ponder why those who do evil are not punished. David states that planning wrath or revenge on those who do evil will only lead to more evil. It is better to trust and rely on God and wait to see his plans unfold, for God will surely come to the rescue of those who trust in him. David advises, like the Apostle Paul, that one must commit one’s ways to the Lord and be confident in God’s ability, his loving-kindness and faithfulness, to bring his promises to fulfilment.
The doctrinal verse for today is taken from the Letter of the Apostle James, Chapter Three verses Four to Five, “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire,” (NRSVB). In recent times we have been made acutely aware of the raging forest fires that have been sweeping around the world. A tiny spark can cause unprecedented destruction. Just as a spark can burn down a whole forest, so can a wrongful word or accusation cause unlimited damage to individuals, groups and nations. However, a spark of the power of the Holy Spirit, empowering people to tell the good news of the gospel of Christ, can set ablaze communities and nations to embrace the gospel of Truth and Life. When the gospel is told, the peace of the Lord descends and touches the hearts and minds of many, breaking through the strongholds of evil.
Father God, our Father, help us to spread the gospel of your love and faithfulness. Help us not to be ashamed of the gospel, but to be bold in our proclamation of your grace. We thank you for your gift of everlasting life to all who believe in your Son, our Lord Jesus, Amen.
