The Small Catechism – part 186
Scripture Text: Hebrews 3:11
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From the Word: And I vowed in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest. (Hebrews 3:11)
From the Confessions: The Small Catechism
The Seventh Petition
But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?
We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our heavenly Father would deliver us from every type of evil — whether it affects our bodies or souls, property or reputation — and at last, when our hour of death comes, would grant us a blessed end to our earthly lives, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to himself in heaven.
Pulling It Together: The ancient Hebrews were being led out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into a land of rest—a place where they would no longer be in bondage. Although Moses was his human representative, they were being led by God, seen clearly enough in supernatural and always present pillars of fire and smoke (Num 14:14). But they were tempted to return to Egypt (Num 14:4), where all they would know was slavery.
Let us not be too quick to judge their decision. We too, have been known to follow our own deliberations instead of God’s lead. May he deliver us from the evil of deserting him altogether. The desertion of faith results in the greatest loss. Forsaking faith is to abandon God, the source of rest. The eternal Sabbath, a blessed rest prepared by God for those who believe, awaits those who follow him there.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for preparing a place for me in your Father’s house. Amen.
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When we speak of the "Great Commission," we usually think of Jesus' words at the end of Matthew's Gospel. But there are actually several places in the New Testament that describe the commission we have been given to speak and act, bearing witness to the truth of the gospel message. All these biblical articulations convey the same charge and calling, but each adds something important to our appreciation and understanding of the mission to which we have been called.
Author
Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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