September 27, 2010 - Monday of the 17th Week after Trinity
Today's Reading: Proverbs 25:6-14
Daily Lectionary: Malachi 3:6—4:6; Matthew 4:12-25
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Isn't it great news when you learned that the test you thought you were going to bomb you passed with flying colors? You thought that person would say no when you asked them out and then you find out from someone that they actually hoped you would? You were sure that you weren't going to get that job and then they hire you? We all like good news. And some good news is even better when we're feeling low. It brightens our day. The kind word of a friend or the encouragement of a parent or teacher can make all the difference to your day.
The Word of God says such words are like apples of gold in settings of silver, that is, a beautiful and wonderful treasure. But good news and good advice don't always help. Sometimes they don't even occur. But the promises of Christ in the Gospel are always Good News and they are always a treasure.
Sometimes, your friends or parents won't know what to say. Sometimes all they have to say is negative. But what God says about you in your Baptism never changes: You are His beloved child. What the world says doesn't influence what the Lord speaks to you in Absolution: Your sins are forgiven. What Jesus gives in His Supper doesn't isn't uncertain: His body and blood for your forgiveness, life and salvation. The preaching of the Gospel isn't one day good and another day a downer. It's always: the Son of God in the flesh crucified to take away your sins and give you eternal life.
Always, the Words and promises and gifts of God are beautiful treasures. They are gifts that cannot be overcome by the bad news of this world. When all the world has nothing kind to say to you, the Lord's Word is all gifts and promises and hope and joy and certain eternal life. The beautiful fruit set in silver is the Good News of the fruit of the cross: your life and salvation. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
God's Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way, In death it is out stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We keep its teachings pure Throughout all generations. (LSB 582)
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