The people went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people. (1Ki 8:66 KJV)

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. (2Co 4:15 ESV)

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always +

In this mornings reading we read of how the holy arc of God was brought into the temple of Jerusalem after king Solomon had completed its construction and dedication. It must have been a wonderful celebration. Something to behold and tell your children and grandchildren about. The main reason for rejoicing and the peoples gladness was that God was so good to them. This was their comfort and strength, their life’s foundation, rock solid and battlement and fortress. It gave their lives meaning and substance, purpose and calling. It was the fulfilment of their being and sojourn on earth.

God had created them beautifully and most wonderfully. He had taken care of them in the most difficult and trying of situations, kept them safe and sound, preserved them and their children through good and bad spells. He had saved them countless times too. He was there for them always and his goodness spilt over for his people that the cup overflowed. God’s goodness and mercy followed them all the days of their lives. He had granted them good governance, peace and goodwill, abundance of fruits of the earth – even in the desert. He himself had been with them always – day and night. Listening to their calls, heeding their pleas and answering their prayers even before they pronounced them. It was true. Their hearts had come to rest in the goodness and peace of the Lord. With him they had come to the very essence and being of life, goodness and light. That’s why they were joyful and glad at heart.

As we start the new week, we remember God’s goodness and mercy, which he lets us taste daily and without fail. His goodness and mercy is new every morning and his grace never departs from us, but shines over us like the moon at night and the sun during daytime. Even if the clouds hide this from our eyes, we know it is there – invisible – but as sure and true and good as ever. That is why we sing his praises even as we go about the work of the new week and get started to go about the chores of our daily life. God is with us, what shall we fear? He has promised to take good care of us no matter what happens. Therefore we are confident and glad, full of trust and happiness. Remembering how God did great things for his people throughout the ages and never let them out of his sight or care. So he will continue to rule and reign for our sakes and benefit, that we continue to prosper and flourish as his people – now and always.

Was it not just yesterday that we tasted how good God is to us? We heard of his unfailing love for us and all his people; how he gave his only begotten Son Jesus Christ for us while we were still enemies and sinners and hopeless cases. Still God so loved the world – and us too! – that he gave this his very own and most dearly beloved Son for us into death, so that all who trust in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Yes, the triune God again confirmed his forgiving actions of ages long gone by again forgiving us all our sins and healing our diseases. He does so unfailingly – using his gracious means and in his very good and best timing for us and our salvation. He leads us to green pastures and lets us rest at the quite waters too. Even if we go through the valley of death, we fear no ill, for he is with us. His rod and staff comfort us. So we go home and to work encouraged by his goodness and favour. He will fail us never. He anoints us with precious oil. He sets our table even in the sight of our enemies and crafty foes. Still goodness and mercy will follow us all our lives. For he is with us and if he is there and for us, what could harm us? He is our living God and to him be all glory now and always. Thank the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever. That’s for sure. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

1. Now thank we all our God,
   with heart and hands and voices,
   who wondrous things hath done,
   in whom his world rejoices;
   who from our mother’s arms
   hath blessed us on our way
   with countless gifts of love,
   and still is ours today.

   2. O may this bounteous God
   through all our life be near us,
   with ever-joyful hearts
   and blessèd peace to cheer us;
   and keep us in his grace,
   and guide us when perplexed,
   and free us from all ills
   in this world and the next.

   3. All praise and thanks to God
   the Father now be given,
   the Son, and Holy Ghost,
   supreme in highest heaven,
   the one eternal God,
   whom earth and heaven adore;
   for thus it was, is now,
   and shall be evermore. 

Martin Rinkart (1586-1649), 1636 translated by  Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), 1858