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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 13, 2005 God Bless America |
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FRONTLINE DEVOTION FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2005 by Fritz
Foltz
Matthew
18:23-34
It has become very common after 9/11 to pray and sing, “God bless America”.
In fact, it has become part of the ritual at the beginning of many public
events. People who usually stand in silence during song sing this one with
vigor.
This is good and proper. However, Americans should always acknowledge how much
God has already blessed us through the years. He has certainly blessed America
mightily.
And we should take care we do not ask God to bless us so we can defeat and
destroy other nations and peoples. All of God’s blessings carry the obligation
to pass them on to others. God blessed the first Jew, Abraham, at the very
beginning of the history of salvation specifically so his family could bless
other families and nations until all are united in God’s Kingdom. So now God
loves us, so we can love others. God forgives our sins, so we can forgive the
evil of those who sin against us.
God expects blessings to be passed on. Our blessing is never at the expense of
others. God blesses America in order that she like Abraham might bless the other
nations of the world with the gifts she has received.
The parable of the unforgiving servant makes the point well. The natural
response is to ask, “How is it possible someone can be forgiven such an
enormous debt and then refuse to forgive his sister or brother a very, very
small one?”
Most of us believe with Luther that God always forgives our sins even though we
don’t deserve it. In his Small Catechism he says when we realize this we
“heartily forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us”. We pass
on his forgiveness as a natural response to what he has done. Matthew is much
tougher. His parable claims if we cannot respond by forgiving others, God will
change his mind and take back his mercy.
Matthew is tough.
So let us sing “God bless America” heartily, but then let us take the
responsibility for passing those blessing on to others.
Let us pray: We give thanks, loving Father, for all the blessings you pour out
upon us. Grant us always the love to pass those blessings on to those with whom
we share life and even our enemies. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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