February 21, 2022
Dear friends,
Psalm 1
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
How could such a tree, planted by streams of water, do anything else? How could it do anything other than bear fruit? The conditions are just right, just what a tree needs to bud and leaf and flower and bloom, just what a tree needs to do what it does by nature: be fruitful.
How could you, called by God, redeemed by his Son, buried with him by baptism into his death, fed by his very body and blood, led by his voice, taught by his Spirit – how could you do anything other than bear fruit? That is, how could you do anything other than live a life of faith towards God and love for your neighbor? How could you do anything other than carry out the good works that God has prepared for you from the foundation of the world?
This is how it is for Christians. God has done all the work. He’s the one who has called you out of darkness. He has given you his Word and taught you to delight in it. He has planted you by streams of water. He has cultivated and fertilized and pruned. He has guarded and kept, tended and loved. He has done all of that so that you can bear fruit.
If we do not bear fruit, it is not God’s fault. It is our own. It is only by refusing his gifts, abandoning his promises, forsaking his Word, walking with the wicked, standing with the sinners, and sitting with the scoffers – it is only by our own neglect and unbelief that we would fail to bear fruit.
But what a strange and perplexing thing that would be! Imagine a tree planted by streams of water, choosing not to bear fruit! Imagine the man, blessed by God, choosing not to prosper by his Word! Imagine the righteous choosing not to live in righteousness!
Rejoice and thank God that he has worked such mighty works for you. Rejoice in the care and devotion he has shown to you in his infinite love. Rejoice in the fruit that you bear, the good works of faith and love that he has given to you. Blessed are you!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
COMING EVENTS:
Ash Wednesday – Wednesday, March 2 @ 7pm
Family Night – Wednesday, March 9 @ 5:30pm
Elders and Council – Thursday, March 10 @ 6 & 7pm
Men’s Bible Study – Wednesday, March 17 @ 8pm