From the first verses of three of the readings for this morning we find:
From Psalm 1, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.”
From Psalm 3, “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! * many are they that rise against me.”
From Proverbs 1, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
Hey, wait just a minute, preacher! What do you mean we are blessed? Where is blessing when scripture speaks of our increased troubles? Where is blessing when we live in the midst of sinners, scornful, ungodly troublesome people? Child of God, blessing comes from avoiding the ways of the sinners, the scornful, the troublers, those who despise wisdom and instruction, those whose god is their belly, those who seek the pleasures and powers of the world and its master, Satan
Blessing comes from obeying the Word of God, the instruction of godly fathers, following the law of obedient mothers, from patience in these tumultuous times. Remember, the ‘chains around our necks’ are not iron and bronze chains of slavery and oppression; rather, they are chains of fine beaten gold to adorn us in the Kingdom.
Blessing comes from the sure knowledge that we have of God through His Word, through the leading of His Spirit, through the office of His Son, Jesus, the Christ, as our Redeemer and soon coming King. Don’t be enticed to evil in these evil last days…consent not! Blessing comes through acting in His name, seeking and performing His will, obeying His Word. Period!
God bless you today, and every day, as you seek His face and will for your life. Amen.
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for Epiphany Octave, 1928 BCP
O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for the First Sunday after the Epiphany, 1928 BCP
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