“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’”
(Lamentations 3:22–24 ESV)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in Jesus’ name.
Why!? Why should the writer of the Book of Lamentations be so hopeful? Israel was in trouble. God had rebuked them by causing them to be taken captive as a people.
You will hear these words this Sunday as part of the Old Testament lesson. In it, you will also hear, “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust—there may yet be hope; let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults.” Ouch! That’s no fun.
But through these inspirited words, God was encouraging people to be humble. The sin of the people had caught up with them. Now it was time for them to regret forsaking God and long for His presence and blessing. It wouldn’t hurt them to be humbled – to think about what they had done and how they had treated (or rather, mistreated) the Lord – to be silent and ponder what they had done against the Almighty Lord who had previously blessed them so greatly. For with repentance, comes God’s offer to forgive – to wipe the slate clean and begin anew with His people.
Most notable is the line, “let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults.” That is exactly what the sin-less One did. Jesus was forever close and faithful to His heavenly Father. And yet, He endured shame not because He deserved it, but because we deserved it. He offered to take all that was wrong in us and suffer for our sakes.
And that’s exactly what brings us hope. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection make these words jump in our hearts:
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’”
As new as the day is God’s love for you. As fresh as every morning, so too is God’s forgiving mercy – a fresh start.
I need that! Don’t you? See you this Sunday at Prince of Peace.
Coming Up at Prince of Peace …
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, June 28
10:00 Service of Prayer & Preaching
PoP News …
Vacation Bible Weekend: “Camp Discovery” – August 8 & 9
Registration is open for JK to starting Gr. 6. Come along with us as we sing fun songs, do awesome crafts, eat yummy snacks, play awesome games, and more. Plus, you’ll learn all about Jesus our Saviour and how He is at work through us! Can’t wait to see you there! Just fill in a registration form!
Other News …
EDLYA’s Annual Summer Retreat is July 31 to August 3 at Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo. For more information check online http://www.edlya.ca/.
Online News …
Movie Screening: Since Lost Penny sold out at the Niagara Integrated Film Festival, a special screening will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Seneca Queen Theatre, 4624 Queen St. Niagara Falls, ON. Advance tickets are $10. For tickets, go to: http://www.cubecity.org/. (Tickets at the door $15 – cash only).
Lutherans march for life: The 2015 March for Life took place in Ottawa on May 14. Lutherans for Life-Canada (LFL-C) maintained its tradition of participating in the march with 30 people taking part to raise awareness against abortion and euthanasia in Canada. READ MORE
LCC President recommends Interim Pastoral Leader for Alberta and British Columbia: LCC President Robert Bugbee has announced that he will recommend the Synod’s First Vice President, Rev. Nolan D. Astley, as the Interim Pastoral Leader for LCC congregations in Alberta and British Columbia. This recommendation will be acted on by the LCC Board of Directors when it meets in a conference call on June 25. READ MORE
In your prayers, please remember:
- Those under doctor’s care
- Gina & Brian who will be married on Saturday, June 27, here at Prince of Peace
- Thanksgiving to God for the safe arrival of a great grandson for Connie and now also a great grand daughter.
- Those graduating from school, be it high school or university, and their future going forward
- Pastor Michael Yat and Pastor Peter Yen who are in prison in Khartoum Sudan North. Pray for them and their families as they suffer persecution. This prayer request comes via Pastor Peter Gatluak.
- Thanksgiving for Christ Our Saviour, Grimsby, and Redeemer, Hamilton, congregations who will be receiving Candidate Aaron Astley as their new pastor. He is a graduate of Concordia Seminary, Edmonton. Ordination/Installation likely will occur in August.
The Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Kevin Walrath
