"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Thursday, 17 November 2016 with Scripture Colossians 1:11-20

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Thursday, 17 November 2016 with Scripture Colossians 1:11-20
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Colossians 1:11 We pray that you will be continually strengthened with all the power that comes from his glorious might; so that you will be able to persevere and be patient in any situation, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father for having made you fit to share in the inheritance of his people in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
14 It is through his Son that we have redemption — that is, our sins have been forgiven. 15 He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is supreme over all creation, 16 because in connection with him were created all things — in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities — they have all been created through him and for him. 17 He existed before all things, and he holds everything together.
18 Also he is head of the Body, the Messianic Community — he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might hold first place in everything. 19 For it pleased God to have his full being live in his Son 20 and through his Son to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through him, through having his Son shed his blood by being executed on a stake.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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The words "blood of the cross" bring images of a bloody Jesus, sacrificed for us as payment for debt, satisfaction for sin. "Reconciliation and peace," on the other hand, bring images of embrace and connection, images not typically associated with the cross. Understanding God's work in Christ as a ministry of reconciliation gives a different way of thinking about what Christ was doing for us on the cross. The creator of all things, desiring so much to be in relationship with all things, God risked God's son to our violence.
Our nation has just come through a hard election cycle that resulted in angry words, accusations and even violence. As disciples of the one in whom God worked reconciliation for us we are called to be people of reconciliation. To speak truth about divisions and yet risk, as God risked for us, for the sake of reconciliation. 
Loving God, you risked yourself so that we might have life and be reconciled to you. Help us, your holy church, to be agents of reconciliation and truth, proclaiming your desire for all people to live in peace. In Christ your son, our Lord. Amen.
Erik K. J. Gronberg, '05
Bishop, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA
Colossians 1:11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;
16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.[New Revised Standard Version]

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"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Wednesday, 16 November 2016 with Scripture Psalm 46
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Psalm 46:1 (0) For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On ‘alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song:
2 (1) God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
3 (2) Therefore we are unafraid,
even if the earth gives way,
even if the mountains tumble
into the depths of the sea,
4 (3) even if its waters rage and foam,
and mountains shake at its turbulence. (Selah)
5 (4) There is a river whose streams
gladden the city of God,
the holy habitation of ‘Elyon —
6 (5) God is in the city.
It will not be moved —
when daybreak comes, God will help it.
7 (6) Nations were in turmoil,
kingdoms were moved;
his voice thundered forth,
and the earth melted away.
8 (7) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
9 (8) Come and see the works of Adonai,
the astounding deeds he has done on the earth.
10 (9) To the ends of the earth he makes wars cease —
he breaks the bow, snaps the spear,
burns the shields in the fire.
11 (10) “Desist, and learn that I am God,
supreme over the nations,
supreme over the earth.”
12 (11) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)[Complete Jewish Bible]
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The coming year will bring many celebrations of the Reformation. As Lutheran Christians, witnesses to a particular confession within the body of Christ, we are understandably proud of our heritage and witness to God's freely given grace. Psalm 46, upon which Luther's great hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, is based, demonstrates once again the biblical foundations upon which our confession stands. Celebrations of such a heritage are important and yet can be dangerous for a community. The temptation to look back can make heritage and institutions more an anchor than a foundation for growth. The psalmist reminds us that though kingdoms come and kingdoms go, God's word remains and God is invested in the people. God desires peace and prosperity for us--not given cheaply as if by magic, but by the power of the one willing to give himself for us as our fortress, our "refuge and strength." Thanks be to the God of history for the Reformation witness. 
God of inspiration, you moved in the reformers to challenge the church. Stir up in us confidence in your Spirit's presence that we might remember that you, not the works of our hands, are our mighty fortress and sure defense. In Christ our Lord. Amen.
Erik K. J. Gronberg, '05
Bishop, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Selah)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)[New Revised Standard Version]

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