Easter 30

Lord and God,

Whom do the heavens, the earth, the seas and all that is in them obey but you, Lord our God? There is no other, yet not for lack of trying. Many images, idols, counterfeits daily demand our worship. Many baals, from Egypt to Ekron to Athens to our own times and places today entice us; they are images of silver and gold, the work of human hands.

You alone are the living God, the saving God, parting waters, calling fires, working salvation for your people. Yet for the rescue of Christ Jesus, no fire came from heaven. He withheld the heavenly legions for a greater deliverance—to enter death and overcome it for us. Elijah called fire and bypassed death; Christ Jesus was raised from it for our salvation. Blessed be the name of the Lord, and his servants with him. Let our hope be not in the work of our hands, but in the living God who works our deliverance.