"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 7 November 2016 with Scripture Malachi 4:1-2a
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Malachi 3:19 (4:1) For the day is coming, burning like a furnace,
when all the proud and evildoers will be stubble;
the day that is coming will set them ablaze,”
says Adonai-Tzva’ot,
“and leave them neither root nor branch.
20 (4:2) But to you who fear my name,
the sun of righteousness will rise
with healing in its wings;
and you will break out leaping,
like calves released from the stall.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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Tomorrow is Election Day in the U.S., the culmination of many months of vigorous campaigning. We expect seemingly very self-assured candidates will declare why they can lead best and, often, why their opponent is unqualified. After we tally the votes, some of us will feel satisfied and some of us will feel disgruntled. It will be a critical time for healing and coming together.
We must strive to end divisiveness knowing we are all simultaneously saints and sinners. Therefore, it is essential for us humbly to share the message of God's gracious love for everyone without exception. Unfair divisions profoundly influence lives. Whole communities are suffering. Therefore, whatever our individual circumstances, we must work together for our common good. As this week's scriptures remind us, now cannot be a time of idleness. The day has come for us to rise as serving hands and loving hearts of God's righteous healing!
God of righteousness, we praise and thank you for your healing now and in the times to come. Forgive our divisiveness. Help us reconcile with all of our neighbors. Please guide the important decisions we make in electing leaders and the vital actions we take in striving for the common good. Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Partner Engagement, Redeemer Center for Life & Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Work, Augsburg College, Minneapolis
Malachi 4:1 See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.[New Revised Standard Version]
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We must strive to end divisiveness knowing we are all simultaneously saints and sinners. Therefore, it is essential for us humbly to share the message of God's gracious love for everyone without exception. Unfair divisions profoundly influence lives. Whole communities are suffering. Therefore, whatever our individual circumstances, we must work together for our common good. As this week's scriptures remind us, now cannot be a time of idleness. The day has come for us to rise as serving hands and loving hearts of God's righteous healing!
God of righteousness, we praise and thank you for your healing now and in the times to come. Forgive our divisiveness. Help us reconcile with all of our neighbors. Please guide the important decisions we make in electing leaders and the vital actions we take in striving for the common good. Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Partner Engagement, Redeemer Center for Life & Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Work, Augsburg College, Minneapolis
Malachi 4:1 See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.[New Revised Standard Version]
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