God’s Instruments. Worship: September 8, 2024

Illustration: Mosaic in Basilica of San Vitale. Ravenna RA, Italy

The Readings for today tell us that God will change people’s circumstances. The Old Testament Reading lists those who are blind, deaf, lame, and mute. Instead of advising them simply to pray, Isaiah promises that God will take action, like water in the desert. Among the ways God will help is through His people; according to the advice to James, we, who have been given the gift of faith, are called to be fair in court, to try to keep the entire Law of God, and to see that the people around us are clothed and fed. Jesus casts out demons and heals a deaf man in the Gospel. He is doing no less when we become His caring instruments. Today we let the Word come into us so that we might be part of God’s healing answer to prayer.

Guest Pastor this week: Pastor Michael Heggen