OT 14

Lord and God,

Are we not like Ahaz? Do we not become yet more faithless in the time of our distress? When the wrath and curse due sin find us out in this life, then we look not for you in your mercy, to bear it with dignity and surrender, to count it all joy in Christ to be united with him in suffering for sin.

It is then we are most tempted to look fondly upon idols, to set aside your commandments in favor of whatever makes endurance less demanding. Our secret pleasures and shortcuts come flooding to our minds, yet the sorrows of those who run after other gods always multiply. Christ has made our spirits willing, but ever weak is the flesh. Yours is the path of life, but we are too weak and corrupt to lift your commandments for ourselves. Therefore they further condemn us, for sin is alive and well in us. Do for us in Christ what we cannot do for ourselves. For since we are in him, we know you will not abandon us to the grave and corruption. Bring Christ to life in us, and bring to nothing the old, wretched man. Because he is at your right hand, and we are in him, we will not be shaken. Blessings upon the Lord, who counsels us.