The blessings for the faithful
by Norma Koehne
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You will make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Psalm 16:11).
In the past week, we have been looking at God’s free gifts to those who have faith. We saw how the tormented demonic came to faith, the faith of Jairus, and the faith of Abraham in God’s promises when all seemed impossible. Paul’s closely worked arguments showed us again and again that God credits us with righteousness through faith, not because of anything we have done. In Psalm 16, now we see the blessings that God gives to those who have faith.
God cares for us and keeps us safe. He provides security and a place of refuge for us. We all know and remember those times when we are buffeted by anxiety and the storms of life. When we feel abandoned and that no-one can help us, God stands beside us to assure us that he will never leave us or forsake us. He remains constant as our loving Father.
As our loving Father, he gives us all good things – peace, love, joy. What blessings these are! When things around us in the world are chaotic and worrying, we can have peace knowing that God is in control and his love wraps around us. Amazingly, as we turn to God and trust him in stressful times, we can have joy in sorrow and despair.
We have these assurances because God has given us his word to counsel and instruct us. And standing by our side as our teacher and guide, we have the Holy Spirit to lead us through this word into stronger faith and greater trust. Jesus told his disciples that he would not leave them alone but give them the gift of the Spirit. We received this gift at our baptism and are led along the ‘path of life’ by the Spirit.
Finally, we receive the greatest blessing of all, our inheritance. We will have the ultimate joy of being in God’s presence with eternal pleasures at his right hand. An amazing, undeserved and freely given inheritance.
Thank you, God, that you shower me with so many blessings every day of my life. We particularly thank you for the blessings of faith and the Holy Spirit we received in our baptism. May we live in our baptism joy until we finally see our inheritance, being in your presence forever. Amen.
Norma grew up at Koonibba in SA. She was a teacher at Concordia College in SA and then served in various roles in Papua New Guinea with her husband. Returning to Australia, Norma worked as an International Student Advisor and, after completing a PhD, worked in administration at the University of Divinity. She has been privileged to serve the LCA on the General Church Council, Seminary Council, and as president of Lutheran Women of Victoria and Lutheran Women of Australia. Currently, she is happily retired.
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