The Pastor’s Corner

Prayer: Our God in heaven, you who ordained your Son as the suffering servant who would come, take upon himself our humanity, suffer in all ways that we suffer yet know no sin, we thank you for the labor and ministry of your beloved Son, our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. We know that we, like sheep, often go astray. Like David, we bemoan that our sins are ever before us. Yet, we know that your Son, as our High Priest, is patient with us -- more patient than we are with ourselves and others. Your Word tells us that he will not break the bruised reed. That is, he will act tenderly and compassionately towards those he has redeemed. He does not snuff us out, though our light is barely burning. Your Son deals gently with the ignorant and wayward, and these things often characterize our lives. Forgive us, Father, for such a low view of your love for us and a poor understanding of the gospel. May we preach the hope of Christ to ourselves es in times of great sin and struggle. Be merciful, Lord. We pray all of these things in the name of the Savior. Amen.

Prayer: Our Father, we look into your Word, and we take note of how it describes the tendency of our own hearts. We are prone to wander, Lord, we feel it. We are prone to leave the God we love. We are like sheep that often go astray. We mourn that we often do what we know is wrong and do not do what we know is right. Your Son tells us to watch and pray lest we fall into temptation. Yet, we often rush into temptation, forgetting to pray and plead with your Spirit for the face needed to overcome and mortify sin in our life. We are ashamed at how easily we give in to besetting sins and those things that so easily cause us to stumble. We are weak. You are strong. Forgive us, Father. Please help us meditate deeply on your Word and hide it in our hearts that we might not sin against you. We pray these things in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Everyday Prayer with John Calvin
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-9

This passage begins with a brief description of the circumstance of the prophet. 33:1 tells us, "The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard." The reference to the "second time" echoes back to 32:1-2. This passage begins by describing to us the awful difficulty facing the prophet. It reminds us of another man of God who was shut up in prison because he was faithful (See Gen. 39:19-23). As the LORD was with Joseph, he is also with Jeremiah. He has not abandoned his servants to the enemy, and he is mindful of their condition. It is here in this miserable state that the LORD says to Jeremiah, "Call to me and I will answer you" (33:3). The God of the covenant promised that he would hear the prayer of his servant, and he would answer him.

Prayer: Our great God in heaven: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we bless your name today because you are the only true God and our God. You have called us and redeemed us that we may live as salt and light in a dark world. From the pit of misery, you have pulled us out and set our feet on the solid rock, which is your Son. Through his righteousness, you have imputed to us righteousness and accepted us as your children. We belong to you, and, therefore, you hear us when we pray. We thank you for our great High Priest who daily prays for us. We thank you that you have given us the Lord's Day when we come apart from our worldly cares and concerns and focus our attention on your majesty. With your people, we gather today to praise you and hear from you. We pray that you would speak from heaven today and encourage your people. Please grant to your ministers your Holy Spirit as they preach your Word. Please cause us to hear and do that which we hear for your glory and our good. We pray these things in the name of your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Everyday Prayer with John Calvin
Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25

This passage describes the joy of the New Jerusalem yet to come, and all that will be for the citizens of the New City. It is with great excitement that we look forward to that day. There are tremendous benefits to this City, and we do well to allow our minds to drift towards them as they are here summarized.

First, note the attitude in which the saints will demonstrate upon the arrival of the New Jerusalem: they will be glad and rejoice! (65:18). This attitude undergirds the entire passage as it gives reasons why we will rejoice and be glad. Even today, as we await this New Jerusalem, we have reason to rejoice and be glad. Our chief end in life is to glorify our God and Redeemer and enjoy him. We do this, in part, today through the celebration of the Lord's Day that our God has been pleased to grant. On that day, we taste in part the heavenly joys of the New City that will come.