Third Sunday after Trinity – Wednesday

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. —Joshua 1:8.

Regenerate Christians, children of God, in whom the Holy Ghost dwells, through His Word, are desirous, yes, anxious to lead a life that is well-pleasing to God. They wish to do good works that are acceptable to God. But, in this, they must not be guided by their own, would-be pious opinions, much less by the commandments of men, but by the Law of God. The Law of God is to be the rule guiding their every action. The Law of God should never depart out of their mouths, but they should always be ready and eager to speak of it with others. They should meditate therein day and night, and seek to follow all its precepts. Being guided by the Law of God, they can be sure about what is right, and will know how to act wisely. Thus, notwithstanding, God knows that man cannot fulfill His Law; He nevertheless has made it a rule for us, His children, that Law which we should follow cheerfully, and which clearly tells us what works we should do in our loving service of Him. It is acting presumptuously if we, ourselves, choose the works with which we want to serve God. God has plainly told us, in His Law, how we should be, and what we must do and must not do, and these precepts alone are to be the rule for our Christian lives. Indeed, that will give us enough to do as long as we live.

The more earnestly we strive to keep God’s commandments, the more we shall become aware of how much we still lack; how poorly we have kept the Law, are still keeping it, and, in fact, how little we can keep it.  “If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?  But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared [be respected and revered]” (Psalm  130:3-4).

PRAYER – O Lord, give me a rich measure of Thy Holy Spirit, working through Thy Word, that I may run the way of Thy commandments! And continue to be with me on this way, O gracious God, and richly and daily forgive all sins unto me for Jesus’ sake. Comfort and strengthen me by the Spirit of grace, working through Thy Gospel, that I may ever and again lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for my feet to run in the ways of Thy commandments, in gratitude for Thy boundless grace in Christ. Amen.

The man is ever blest, who shuns the sinners’ ways;

among their counsels never stands, nor takes the scorners’ place.

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But makes the Law of God, His study and delight;

amid the labors of the day, and watches of the night.

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He like a tree shall thrive, with waters near the root;

fresh as the leaf his name shall live, His works are heav’nly fruit.

(Hymn 414, st. 1-3; TLH)