Epiphany
January 13, 2017

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

[Our Lord Jesus Christ] will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. –1 Corinthians 1:8-9

We should take great comfort in Paul’s assurance that we are strengthened by our Lord Jesus Christ and that God is faithful. We need strength to be the Body of Christ in the world today. God’s faithfulness anchors us against the storm.

Oklahoma’s weather prepares us for changing winds. It was 70 degrees here yesterday. The night before winds howled rattling my carport as pieces of trash or trees beat on the brick. Meteorologist reported those winds gusted to 50 miles per hour. This morning’s temperature was 23 degrees, and we were alerted to prepare for a massive ice storm headed our way.

The morning news was just as full of chaos and change. A new federal administration will be taking power soon. People are posturing for power. Our international neighbors wonder what will result. The stock market jumps about like a nervous cat at every tidbit that might impact it.

One of my favorite old hymns, no longer in hymn books, is In Times Like These by Ruth Caye Jones. I am sure I have quoted it here before. The hymn starts: In times like these we need a Savior. The good news is we have one.

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!*

Prayer: Lord, anchor us with your love; be our strength and help us be your workforce. Amen.

*http://www.namethathymn.com/christian-hymns/in-times-like-these-lyrics.html

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.