September 30, 2023
Today’s Reading: Introit to Pentecost 18: Psalm 147:1-5; antiphon Psalm 147:6
Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 31:1-21, Philippians 4:1-23
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When we lived in Corpus Christi, one of our unique experiences was learning what happens when a category 5 hurricane blows through the area. Corpus Christi itself didn’t receive as much water damage from Harvey as Houston or as much wind damage as a dozen towns that were just up the coast from us. But for the next two years, our congregation was a base camp for volunteers from all around the country—they came to help tear out water damage, repair sheetrock, install flooring—they even replaced a few roofs!
We had almost a thousand volunteers who came and stayed at our church. I led devotions each morning for the volunteers before they went to work. One of the verses that became a “theme verse” for us was Psalm 147:3, that God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. I came to love this verse because of all the broken-hearted folks I met along the way. Some folks had lost everything in the storm, and I certainly had no words on my own that would have fixed anything. But God did. I’ll never forget the looks on some of the homeowners’ faces when our teams showed up to help. When we got there, they looked hopeless, like the task in front of them was more than they’d ever be able to handle. But these folks who showed up to help…showed up. And when they came, they didn’t expect any thanks or recognition.
One homeowner couldn’t stop thanking a volunteer to the point that the volunteer was having a hard time getting his work done. He almost didn’t know how to respond…You’re welcome, don’t mention it, it’s my pleasure—he tried everything…until it dawned on him. This thanks shouldn’t have been directed toward him at all. “Could I pray with you?” he asked. In his prayer, he asked God to draw near to his new friend. He thanked God that He had brought this group to this house on this day. And He asked God to continue to show the folks in that area His mercy through the work that was being done to rebuild what had been broken by the storm. Some of the acts of God described in Psalm 147 are incredible, like determining the number of the stars…others may seem less impressive, like lifting up the humble…but for the one who has been lifted up, it’s the greatest thing they could ever ask of God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Voices raised to You we offer; tune them, God, for songs of praise. Hearts and hands we bring in tribute for Your gifts through all our days. Alleluia! Alleluia! Triune God, to You we sing! How can any praise we offer measure all the thanks we owe? Take our hearts and hands and voices–Gifts of love we can bestow. Alleluia! Alleluia! Triune God, to You we sing! Amen. (LSB 795:1)
-Pastor Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.
Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
