VESPERS

7 October Anno + Domini 2009

"Do Not Forget the LORD”

Deut. 6:10-25; Matt. 9:18-38

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

"Take care lest you forget the LORD.”  That was the constant reminder given to the Israelites.  Do not forget the LORD.  Remember how He saved you.  Remember how He brought you out of slavery and into the Promised Land.  Do not forget the LORD.  He has chosen you to be His people.  He has provided for your every need.  He has brought you out of death and into life.  He has defeated your enemies and given you peace in His Kingdom.  Do not forget the LORD.  He has given you the Promise of the Messiah to come, and has instituted the Sacrificial System, through which your sins are forgiven on account of that Promised Messiah.  Do not forget the LORD.  He has been there for you when things were bad; do not forget Him when things are good.  Remember Him always.  He is your God.  You are His people.  Live in Him.  Live for Him.  Live through Him.  Abide in His Word.  Remember His covenant.  Obey His commands.  Do not forget the LORD. 

The same reminder is for you, the New Israel, Christ's Church.  Do not forget the LORD.  Remember how He brought you out of bondage in the Egypt of Hell and into His Kingdom.  You were held captive by Hell's pharaoh, Satan, on account of your sins, but the LORD rescued you by bringing you safely through the water of the Red Sea, drowning your enemies of sin, death, and the devil at the Baptismal font.  There, He marked you as His own child, welcomed you into His Divine family, and promised to lead you through the wilderness of this dead and dying world and into the Promised Land.  Do not forget the LORD.  He makes good on His promise by providing for your every physical and spiritual need.  He gathers you into His Holy House to feed you on His Word and on the very Body and Blood of the Word-Made-Flesh, who lived, died, rose again, and ascended for you.  Do not forget the LORD.  He is there for you not only when things are bad, but also when things are good.  Remember Him always.  He is your God.  You are His people.  Live in Him.  Live for Him.  Live through Him.  Abide in His Word.  Remember His covenant.  Obey His commands.  Do not forget the LORD. 

And yet, although this reminder has sounded forth ever since the LORD saved His people, they have often forgotten.  Both Old and New Israel have forgotten Him when times were bad, thinking they could fix things themselves.  They have forgotten Him when times were good, failing to recognize that all good things come from His gracious hand.  You have forgotten Him at various times and in many ways.  So have I.  We have failed to remember Him always, to love Him as we should, to turn to Him when the going gets tough, and to give Him thanks and praise when the going is good.  Repent. 

And remember this most of all, dear friends - while we may forget the LORD at times, He never forgets us!  He remembers His promises forever and is always faithful to them.  He stands ready to forgive and restore us at all times.  We need only turn to Him and He is there to forgive, heal, restore, and renew us, His people.  He is the One who came in the Flesh to accomplish our salvation; the One we heard about in the New Testament reading, who healed the bleeding woman, raised the ruler's daughter from the grave, and gave sight and speech to the blind and mute.  He promises to be with us whenever we gather in His Name, and so He is, even now. 

Do not forget the LORD, dear brothers and sisters.  And, even when you do, continue to come here to be reminded of what He has done, and continues to do, for you.  For He is gracious and merciful, eager to forgive you.  He always remembers you.  The only thing He ever forgets is yours sins.  When you confess them to Him, He remembers them no more.  All praise, glory, and honor be to God, our Father, His Son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, now and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.