Devotion for December 8 (LCMS Daily Lectionary)

Above:  Second Coming Icon

Good News for the Righteous

DECEMBER 8, 2023

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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:

Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,

that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Savior, Jesus Christ;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236

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The Assigned Readings:

Isaiah 24:14-25:12

Psalm 90 (Morning)

Psalms 80 and 72 (Evening)

1 John 2:15-29

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The future judgment continues in Isaiah 24:14-25:12.  Not only will the wicked face destruction, but the righteous will survive and God will destroy death itself.  Amid judgement for some, one who is righteous will find good news.

1 John exists in the context of the expectation of the imminent return of Christ.  Most of this day’s reading from 1 John 2 consists of a warning not to follow Antichrists.  It is appropriate to read such texts during Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas.  ‘Tis the season for apocalyptic lections.

The righteous, both lessons tell us, must remain so.  And they who obey God will find God faithful to them.  These are words of comfort for the upright.  May you, O reader, and I be among their number until our ends.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

DECEMBER 10, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN ROBERTS, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR

THE FEAST OF KARL BARTH, SWISS REFORMED THEOLOGIAN

THE FEAST OF THOMAS MERTON, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MONK

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/good-news-for-the-righteous/

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