Rescue
Day 635, Friday, May 8
Colossians 1:1-23
Colossians begins with a celebration of the salvation God has given us through Jesus Christ. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Verses 15-20 are thought to be from an early Christian hymn and celebrate Jesus as the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of all creation. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile himself to all things, whether things on earth or in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
The reading also emphasizes that salvation is the action of God (He has rescued us). We receive that salvation not through our works but through faith. “But now he [God] has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Friday meditation

Psalms 119:73-80
Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

Prayer focus
May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.