Even if these are the last days and we are enslaved under a murderous, authoritarian government, God is at work in the state to fulfill His purposes. No matter who “wins” the upcoming elections, what happens with our country or world, or what prosperity or poverty comes our way, your Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. He promises to keep you in the faith unto life everlasting. He promises you a peace that surpasses understanding. Here in His kingdom, He forgives you all your sins. Jesus reigns for you, even while the wars are waged and the world rages.

I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. ³ Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.” (Ec 8:2–3).

Forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus is the heart of the church. And forgiveness of each other is the heart of the Christian life. This is why Jesus would have you pray multiple times daily, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Apart from Christ’s forgiveness, you would face the threat of judgment, hell, and eternal torment. But in Christ, you are released from the slavery and everlasting punishment you deserve and forgiven all the debt owed to God for your sin. By Christ’s design, He has given you, His church, to live in this forgiveness—proclaimed from the pulpit, put upon your head in Absolution, wrapped around you in Baptism, and given to you to eat in the Sacrament.

Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.

The good work of faith has been given to you in Baptism, renewed in Absolution, and strengthened in the blessed Communion. Be like the nobleman, the official of Herod. Having heard the Word of Good News, confess with your mouth and believe you and your household. Do not wait to feel the joy. Hear, know, believe, and trust that peace with God is once more made for you.

1 A good name is better than precious ointment,

And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;

2 Better to go to the house of mourning

Than to go to the house of feasting,

For that is the end of all men;

And the living will take it to heart.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter,

For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Christ teaches us the doctrine of election in today's parable of the Wedding feast. Those with ears to hear and eyes to see will know the comfort and consolation of their election in Christ. God has given His Son to be your bridegroom and you his bride. Splendidly, all those who come to the wedding feast are not merely guests but the chosen bride. None of them are worthy of the Son but are redeemed and reconciled by His faultless obedience, suffering, and death. This righteousness is given to you in a spotless and brilliant wedding garment. Joined to the eternal Son of God, you will live eternally.

Ecclesiastes 6:12 (NKJV)

12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?

Nothing you suffer is beyond healing. Nothing you undergo is beyond God’s intervention and care. Nothing is happening to you by chance. Nothing is an accident, as those without hope in Christ would have you believe.  Your whole life is in God’s hands; He cares for you. God permits everything that happens to you and God allows all things out of his love for you, for your salvation.

18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

⁶ Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. Part of the cosmos' beautiful ordering includes the Archangels, angels, and heavenly hosts. Despite the battles we fight, the lies of Satan and his accusations, and every chaotic evil of this fallen world, we are cared for. Our Lord Jesus loves us until the end. He will always be with us, giving us His own flesh to restore us and keep us in Him. Not only that, but He also sends His holy angel to watch over us, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. There is no need for fear despite the chaos and disorder. You, children of God, are cared for by the holy angels who remind you and keep you in the truth forever.

¹³Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more. ¹⁴For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom. ¹⁵I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place. ¹⁶There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

All laws given by God are for the sake of love. And God loves you so much that He gives you His Word to read, mark, and inwardly digest not just once a week but daily and richly. This love lived in humility is not an abstract idea but is taught and demonstrated by God’s people, preachers, and teachers in the Holy Word.

Mark 9:24–25 (NKJV)

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”

Therefore, the promise for everyone is this: On the last day, the Lord Jesus will call to you. With the same creative voice that made the heavens, the earth, and everything, Jesus will call you from your grave. “Young man or woman, I say to you, arise!” This promise is already yours. Where Jesus is forgiving, there is Jesus giving life and salvation already. Dearly beloved, God sends you a preacher today, interrupting the crying and sorrow, the pain and the loss, and the memories of times nearly forgotten.

Ecclesiastes 4:4–12 (NKJV): 4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. 5 The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh. 6 Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

³⁵ Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶ Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 7:35–8:1.

[Jesus] promises that where your sins are being forgiven in His name, there He is giving you all the things you’re worried about life and salvation. If you don’t need to be anxious about death and resurrection, why are you worried about food, drink, and clothing? You won’t be now that He has repented you and given you to fear, love, and trust in Him alone again.