When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (Psa 94:19 NIV)
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2Th 2:16-1 NIV)
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise… (Eph 5:15 KJV)All Christians aim for the goal of eternal live and salvation. All want to be saved by Jesus Christ, the Lord. Some however guard themselves more than others that they don’t loose sight of this glorious goal and that they don’t loose their footing on their way there. Therefore they go about their lives very circumspectly and carefully. Others however don’t worry too much. They are very assured of their ways and go about their days rather carelessly. They are somewhat negligent and don’t take their sanctification seriously. Now the apostle calls the first group wise and the second fools, because if you loose your eternal salvation due to present negligence or foolhardiness – then that’s far worse than just some shame or pity. That’s a full-blown calamity and the most serious loss there is. You need to take care of how you lead your daily life. It does matter and you are to take good care to follow the divine will in all you think, say and do. Therefore we should daily lead our lives as those who are wise, following the admonition of the Lord’s apostle so as not to foolhardily loose the precious treasures of heaven as the foolish maidens, who did not take enough oil with them on their way. Rather make sure that you keep your lamps burning and enough oil in reserve.
Almighty and eternal God: You have called us to be your own and follow your ways every day even as we go about our various labours and different vocations. We face considerable temptations and need to fight sin, the world and devil that seek to catch, ensnare and destroy us. Grant us a watchful and faithful heart so that by your gracious help and power we can remain steadfast and victorious against the assaults of evil. Let us discard all sinful ways and make us willing and able to fight the good fight of faith so that we will finally overcome and attain eternal salvation by your grace and mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord and God. Amen.
O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread thro’ all the earth abroad the honors of your name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease, ’tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’tis life and health and peace.
He breaks the power of cancelled sin, he sets the prisoner free; his blood can make the foulest clean; his blood availed for me.
To God all glory, praise, and love be now and ever given by saints below and saints above, the Church in earth and heaven. (Charles Wesley 1707-1788)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the twentieth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 355 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu! (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. (Isa 45:8 KJV)
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (Gal 5:5 KJV)
NO PLACE FOR RACISM IN OUR SOCIETY
Adv Johan Kruger, Director: Centre for Constitutional Rights
The Constitution enshrines the values, rights and principles of the society we aspire to be, yet are still struggling to become. These values – including dignity, achievement of equality, the advancement of human rights and freedom, non-racialism and non-sexism – have little value on paper, unless given life by a society. We still have to achieve real and substantive equality in many areas of our society. For some of us – irrespective of race – the real meaning of equality still evades us. It is quite often viewed as what to get or keep instead of what to give. The biggest hurdle we are facing as a society in this regard, is not how to achieve equality by way of policies, programmes and legislation (although the latter certainly deserve some scrutiny of its own), but rather how to overcome our own prejudices.
As a result of the injustices of our past, committed primarily against black South Africans by a system that left our society divided, unequal and understandably sceptical of one another, race remains a relevant and highly emotive driver in our daily lives. We read about it in almost every newspaper, almost every day. It drives politics, labour relations, questions about education, and personal relations. The list is endless.
The issue of race lies at the heart of inequality and divisions we are still facing after almost 20 years of democracy. However, in order for us to reap the fruits of a truly non-racial society – a society in which racial factors and racial discrimination have no place – we must come to appreciate and truly subscribe to the constitutional values of, and rights to, dignity and equality – without preconditions or qualifications. We have to be heedful of how our actions and comments may be viewed by those around us. We have to be mindful of how we as individuals treat one another and respond to each other, more so than how others treat and respond to us. That is what dignity and equality – what reconciliation, nation building and mutual respect – are all about.
A recent editorial by the Sowetan newspaper (“React to Racism”, Sowetan, 7 October 2013), asserted “white South Africans must condemn racism in the same way that black South Africans – invariably the victims – do”. The editorial also contended that white South Africans must condemn incidents of racism, since consistent failure to do so might, according to the editorial, give the impression they condone racist acts, are indifferent to them, or have not yet “fully appreciated or accepted the values of non-racialism embedded in our Constitution”.
The fact is that some South Africans have not fully come to appreciate or accept the values of non-racialism embedded in our Constitution. This is certainly not limited to any race. Racism is not a one-way street, just as non-racialism does not benefit only a single group of people. Strange as it may sound, racism and non-racialism know no colour. Victims of racism in general are not limited to any single group of people and the perpetrators come in all shades of our rainbow nation.
We all have to condemn racism in all its forms and manifestations, not only when one is the victim of such undignified and unconstitutional conduct, but also whenever and wherever it may occur, and by whomever it may be committed. This holds true not only of public condemnations, but also how we conduct ourselves in our respective communities. This is where every South African, as an individual, has the ability to influence, for the better or worse, the daily lives and perceptions of others.
If South Africans, regardless of race, are silent about acts of racism and discrimination – be it in the form of grand organisational policies which exclude anyone from participating in any part of society, or individual acts of bigotry denying a person his or her dignity – it may well be perceived as indifference, or worse, as suggested, tacit approval. Given our past, white South Africans must, just like other South Africans, be vocal and clear in their condemnation of racism as well as preconceived biases, cultural convictions or personal preoccupations, which may result in, or give rise to, racism. The Sowetan’s contention, however, that all black South Africans are necessarily outspoken when other South Africans are being discriminated against, may perhaps be an extrapolated assumption.
Be that as it may, there is no place for racism in our society. Each one of us must denounce racism and any conduct that may negate our pursuit of an equal and non-racial society. We must, however, guard against fuelling racial divisions in the manner in which we denounce racism – whether in ignorance or as part of subjective self-serving aspirations. Unless we do that, race becomes an emotional shield and easy diversion from other real and common concerns such as threats to the rule of law, the lack of accountability, transparency and responsiveness in government, corruption and cronyism, and the failure to provide adequate education and health services.
We may be surprised to find that the best part of South Africans do believe in, and do want a truly equal society. But we will have to talk about race and non-racialism in order to allay wrong assumptions and skewed conjectures we may hold about each other. Moreover, in pursuit of equality and non-racialism – in treating everyone with dignity – we have to remain aware of, and guard against, our subjective assumptions, biases and possible racially-tinted lenses when we engage one another in good faith. The Sowetan’s use, for instance, of the term “white-led organisations”may be falling into just such a trap of stereotypical labelling. After all, that would also include the national Departments of Trade and Industry, and of Tourism, would it not? We will have to consider how our actions and words – and sometimes our silence – may be viewed by others, especially in our own personal lives and our respective communities. We may have many differences, but we share a common future. Whether that future will be one of a society united or divided, is fortunately not up to politicians, but up to each one of us.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Eph 4:28 KJV)The apostle St. Paul is address the evil vice of stealing. Now there is a difference between evil vice and sin. Every theft is sin, yet theft only becomes a vice once it becomes a habit and way of life. Whoever uses thievery and stealing as a mode of living and livelihood is caught up in the vice of stealing. This is incompatible with the Christian way of living – the new life in Jesus Christ. Christians just can’t go ahead and steal food, wood, animals, office material, car radios or money. It contradicts our faith and hope and love we have in Jesus Christ. It fights against the Lord’s good gifts of grace and mercy. This is dangerous business as it threatens our salvation like all sin and puts us into danger of loosing God’s grace and peace. Therefore anybody who steals, should stop with that. He should repent, confess his sins and receive God’s forgiveness for Christ’s sake. Such a repentant Christian will go about his daily vocation and work to do good and something meaningful. This labour – be it with his hands or otherwise – is good. It is honourable and rewarding. The honourable St. Paul himself lauds and praises those, who work with their hands. That is not demeaning, but rather good and helpful. If you have work, rejoice and be grateful. Whoever can avoid sinful sloth, laziness and other shameful sins and vices can call himself blessed. The faithful labourer will even have enough to help the needy and poor – and from God’s holy Word we know that giving is a greater blessing than receiving. Blessed are those, who have that they can share and give to those in need! If you train your heart in doing good, you will also prevent your heart from becoming callous and hard as stone.
Merciful God and Father of us all! You have called us into various vocations so that we can help, benefit and promote our fellow-beings with good works of mercy and care. We ask you rule and govern us with your Holy Spirit, that we would love and fear you above all, trust you and hold your Holy Word more precious than all else. Keep us from all fraud and cheating. Bless our work, labour of our hands and endeavour, grant us food and the sustenance for our lives according to your goodwill and mercy. Prevent us from getting too attached to property and wealth, rather let us utilize it to your honour and glory and to the benefit of our fellow beings – especially the poor and needy amongst us. Help us to keep the faith and a good conscience by your grace and mercy. Let us continue to thank and praise you for all your benefits and blessings that you have bestowed so richly on us daily and all our lives. We glorify your name o Lord and God. Amen.
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices; Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
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!
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given; The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven; The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. (Martin Rinkart 1636 tr Catherine Winkworth 1856)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the nineteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 354 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu! (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. (Psa 77:9 KJV)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom 10:9 KJV)
The Lutheran Order of Service for this years 20th Sunday after the high Holiday of the most holy Trinity is available here in both isiZulu (wz1350131013 n Tr 20) and seTswana (wt1350131013n Tr 20). Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s holy Word from the gospel of the apostle St. Mark in the 2nd chapter verses 23-28 by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).
The readings for the 20th Sunday after Trinity are:
Old Testament: Genesis 8,18-22
The Epistle: 1. Thessalonians 4,1-8
The Gospel: Mark 10,2-9
The liturgical colour is green.
May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for the Sunday: God has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Mic 6:8 NIV) – and if you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will purely and his promises faithfully! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)
We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. (Eph 4:26-27 KJV)As opposite and contradiction to an angry being the apostle posits the mild light of peaceful and forgiving love. The apostle thereby wants to put a clear and definite end to the endless sin of anger and violence. This even flares up in Christians, yet this wrath is not to persist or take over eventually. That is why this should be clarified and overcome even before the sun sets. Peace, love and tranquillity is to rule our minds and hearts during the night so that we can face it more readily with its other temptations and threatening dangers – and not be side-tracked or preoccupied with sinful conflict and strive. Evil is not to gain space or break in to our lives. If peace is threatened and strife breaks out, it is not to be accommodated, but rather removed without delay and unnecessary hesitation. Make haste to rid yourself of your passionate inflammation and enraged fury – at least before the sun is setting in the West – otherwise the devil (our evil foe) will entangle your heart more and more in the chords of discord and strive. As you grant him room – and let the fire of hatred and anger burn and scorch – you will fall into even more sinful traps and snares doing what is not right in the sight of God and against your fellow people. My dear friends: Don’t let anger take control over you and don’t give it permanent residence in your lives! Rather fight the first inclination towards anger and conflict – and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts +
Holy Lord and God, free us from sinful anger and wrath. Keep us from doing what is not right in your eyes. Keep us from harming those, whom you have given at our sides to love and care for – and preserve us from doing wrong against them and thus acquiring new guilt and more shame. Grant that we would recognize the danger of giving room to the evil one in our lives, minds and hearts – and keep us safe from his destructive doings and temptations. We are you own and children of your family o God. Abide with us and keep us safe and sound in true faith, love and hope o good Lord throughout this day and even after the sun has set – throughout the night and in all darkness and loneliness. We don’t have anywhere else to go o Lord, but stay with you our gracious host and sanctuary in all trouble and need. You are our King and Saviour. Help us even in this our affliction by the means you deem best and most salutary. Amen.
A mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty Shield and Weapon; He helps us free from every need That hath us now o’ertaken. The old evil Foe Now means deadly woe; Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight; On Earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is. Of Sabaoth Lord, And there’s none other God; He holds the field forever.
Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us. We tremble not, we fear no ill, They shall not overpower us. This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none, He’s judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.
The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it; He’s by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit. And take they our life, Goods, fame, child and wife, Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won; The Kingdom our remaineth. (Martin Luther 1483-1546)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the nineteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 353 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu! (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.
Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. (Psa 119:6 NIV)
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you– guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (2Ti 1:14 NIV)
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (Eph 4:25 KJV)Here lying and truth are standing opposed to one another like night and day, shadow and light. The apostle supports his argument with the statement: “for we are members one of another.” Members of one body – the holy Christian Church. This expresses the truth that lying is a serious sin against the ecclesiastical communion and that filial love and harmony depend primarily on truthfulness and honesty. What purpose does lying have? It is destructive to those sharing all spiritual goods here and there in eternity. It is harmful to those, who have come to realize not only the negativity of falsehood, but also that every lie burdens the heart with new afflictions and draws it deeper and deeper into darkness and corruption. Lies have no positive value for those, who are eager to save souls – theirs and others. Even if lies purport to put something into a better light, yet the truth will come out – even if it is only on the last day of judgement. Some would even argue that the truth often gives rise to conflict and strive as it uncovers evil, sin and corruption – yet the Christian congregation is far more strengthened by the truth than by falsehood and cover-ups committed by even the best of intentions. Lies and cover-ups give rise to hypocrisy and more shameful vices, because the evildoers start to get convinced that they can get away with murder. Truthfulness on the other side is like a fresh breeze that enlivens and invigorates all. Lies however are like poisonous clouds which suffocate those it covers up. Therefore beware of lies and untruthfulness!
Lord, our God! Keep us from untruthfulness and all superficial affirmations, assertions and declarations. Keep our words simple and true. Grant that we will remain honest, straightforward and truthful as we remember that we will have to answer you at the last judgement. Keep us from the temptation to lie and give false testimony and witness by the ever faithful and truthful witness of your dear and most beloved Son Jesus Christ – our Lord, saviour and God. Amen. (Württembergisches Kirchenbuch 1931)
The Law of God is good and wise And sets His will before our eyes, Shows us the way of righteousness, And dooms to death when we transgress.
Its light of holiness imparts The knowledge of our sinful hearts That we may see our lost estate And turn from sin before too late.
To those who help in Christ have found And would in works of love abound It shows what deeds are His delight And should be done as good and right.
But those who scornfully disdain God’s Law shall then in sin remain; Its terror in their ear resounds And keeps their wickedness in bounds.
The Law is good; but since the fall Its holiness condemns us all; It dooms us for our sin to die And has no pow’r to justify.
To Jesus we for refuge flee, Who from the curse has set us free, And humbly worship at His throne, Saved by His grace through faith alone. (Matthias Loy, 1828-1915)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the nineteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 352 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu! (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.
Wilhelm's space 