“My scars are my jewels.”
Scripture
Psalm 149
149
Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2
Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
5
Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6
Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
7
to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
8
to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9
to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the Lord!
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
I heard the testimony of a Christian woman, who as a 16 year old girl was attacked with acid and horribly disfigured. What did she do to deserve such treatment? She refused to deny Jesus and give up her faith in Jesus as Her Lord and Savior. Her injuries were so terrible that she was not expected to survive, much less live a normal life.
Her story is a testament to the power of the Lord to bring justice in the face of unimaginable evil. Though all the powers of evil were arrayed against the young girl, God’s kindness, healing, and goodness overcame them all. Like a sharp two edged sword, the evil intentions of those who attacked her were cut down. The woman not only survived, but received treatment in the United States, was able to immigrate here, complete her education, and graduate from college. She is working in a job in her specialty and is now married and has a son. After the attack, the doctors said she would die. They kept saying that she would die in her presence. They also said that if she lived, she would be an invalid. God had other plans. God’s love overcame all evil.
It seems that often this world is so full of evil, violence, lies, and injustice that no one can help. The evil one would like everyone to think that this lie is true. But, for those who put their faith in the Lord, there is the greater truth.
“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 146:4.
God’s blessings were brought ino this world when Jesus came to offer Himself on the cross for the life of the world. Through faith in Jesus there is the communion of saints, the forgiveness of all our sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Towards the end of her testimony, the woman, now an adult, points to the scars still visible on the side of her face and neck and she said the most amazing thing. She said, “My scars are my jewels.” Her scars are to her the sign of God’s faithful love for her seen his power to cut down every evil attack, heal her, and at last bring her to everlasting life.
In the end, when we are gathered together will all the saints in light, this will be our all encompassing reality. Thanks be to God! The reality of the Love of God, the presence of Jesus here and now with His saints, and at the last, the joy of eternal life.
Let us pray
Lord, I thank you for the faithful witness of your people, who to this day, receive from you salvation and experience your faithful love in the midst of their trials. Lord have mercy on me. Help me to be faithful in all circumstances. Give me the eyes that can see your mighty acts of salvation even in the midst of this troubled world of sin. Guard and keep your saints who are being persecuted for their faith in you. Let your praises always be in my thoughts, words and actions today. In Jesus name, Amen
The Collect for All Saints Day (November 1)
Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Sprit, one God, now and forever. Amen
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life ☩ everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen
Let us bless the Lord, Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN