Good morning and a blessed Thursday to you. In our time of devotion today we're going to begin with some of the saddest verses in all of Scripture. I know that sounds like not much fun, but I promise you it will end up being a wonderful and blessed time of devotion together in God's Word. 

We are going to begin with some of the saddest verses in Scripture, from the prophet Amos 8:11-12

The time is surely coming, says the Lord God,

    when I will send a famine on the land,

not a famine of bread or a thirst for water,

    but of hearing the words of the Lord.

They shall wander from sea to sea

    and from north to east;

they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,

    but they shall not find it.

How devastating to think that God's Word would be held back. How many times do we turn to his Word for comfort, peace, direction, and for knowing God better and better.  We cannot survive without God's Word. I'm not saying that you and I as a Christian people don't sometimes take for granted the fact that we have God's gracious Word at our disposal anytime of day, no matter where we are. But can you imagine in the time of Amos when God withheld his Word of grace, mercy and comfort from his people.  It's absolutely devastating to consider being without God's Word.  That's the sad part of our devotion.

Now for the good, joyful part.   John 1:14…

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

We know that God's Word made flesh is Jesus Christ himself, the second person of the Trinity, the living and active and breathing Word of the Lord.

Let’s continue this joyful news. In Revelation the 19th Chapter the curtain is pulled back and we see a glimpse into heaven.

Rev. 19:11-16

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[i] them with a scepter of iron; he will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

I want to look more closely at verse 13, where it says, “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God.” The robes that we see in Revelation are usually the white robes that the righteous have been given. We know that we have been cloaked in the robe of righteousness through Jesus Christ and his sacrifice made upon the cross. We wear the white robe of righteousness through his victory, claimed in that robe dipped in blood. Jesus Christ gave his entire being for us, in order that we would be able to wear those white robes of righteousness. Thank God that he did not keep his Word from creation. Thank God that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And the word continues to go forth, with that sharp sword of truth and justice.  The Word continues to lead us even today.

Each Sunday as we are gathered to hear His Word, it goes forth not to our detriment, but truly to comfort us, build us up, and to bring us to the foot of the cross, where victory is found through the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ. The Word of God goes forth to lead us each and every day. By his grace and mercy, God sent his Spirit to lead us in the truth of his Word.  We will never have a famine of his Word, but we will always be filled with his truth, mercy and grace.  Hearing his Word proclaimed, the Word that is active and performative yesterday, today and always.

Let us pray: Lord, We thank you for the Word made flesh. We thank you for that flesh sacrificed for our righteousness. Thank you that we are given your Word through the Bible. We are given your word from the pulpit, and we are given your word to go forth in forgiveness and mercy everyday.  Lord where your Word convicts us, let us repent and turn to you. Where your Word comforts, let us sit in peace and comfort.  And Lord, where your Word sends us, let us go boldly, proclaiming your goodness and your mercy to the ends of the Earth.  This, we pray in the name of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

Have an incredible rest of your week. Where is God's Word leading you today? I can't wait to hear, as we worship together on Sunday.

God bless!

Pastor Malinak