Sunset this evening

Higher Things has a wonderful devotional dated for tomorrow, especially for those whose hearts are lingering in a place where some encouragement is needed and you long to comfort them but just don't quite know how.

Tuesday in the 1st Week of Advent
December 2, 2008

Today's Reading: Romans 13:11-14
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 8:9-9:7; I Peter 4:1-19

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)

Admit it: we like what is mild and easy in the faith, but dislike what is harsh and difficult. Who wouldn't prefer to remain forever on the mountain top, soaking in and singing on about God's love for them? That's what Peter wanted when he was with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. That was exciting.

Trouble is, life is not lived there, on the mountain top. It is lived in the valley down below. Sooner or later, if we are to be of any use to others, we must all descend there with Christ.

Luther teaches us that when we rise in the morning, or go to bed at night, we're on the mountain top. All of God's promises are ours in Holy Baptism. His Word is there for us to read, ponder, and pray. The Absolution He sent His ministers to speak over us in Christ's stead and by His command still prevails “before God in heaven.” And with the Body and Blood of His Son behind, before, and in us—we can literally see forever. We are God's, and He is ours. What a mountain top.

But, what of our poor neighbor? There, things must change. There, the law must enter in. For there, when it comes to our neighbor, God is not so much concerned about us and our good, as He is about our neighbor and his good. Trouble is, like Pharisees, we tend to think of the law as something we keep and obey for our own good, our own sake and benefit. Talk about making
provisions for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts! What about your poor neighbor? Put aside such deeds of darkness. That sad night is far spent, the day is at hand. With Jesus as your righteousness now, you cannot be any more righteous now in God's sight. See in the law, then, not a way for you to establish and maintain your own holiness. See in it the way for you to descend into the valley to love your neighbor. Learn from its mirror the dark deeds to be cast aside for the sake of love. Find in it the godly shape and expression of gratitude for Jesus and the Gospel.

For that's the only debt we owe—a debt of gratitude. And, it is to be paid to our neighbor. Why? Because that's where Jesus, who has paid off every other debt, has placed Himself for us to love. Live this life in the strength and joy of the Gospel.

“The night will soon be ending;

The dawn cannot be far.

Let songs of praise ascending

Now greet the Morning Star!

All you whom darkness frightens

With guilt or grief or pain,

God's radiant Star now brightens

And bids you sing again.”

(LSB #337, st. 1)