All Saints Day

11-1-22

Today's devotion is based on, Revelation 7:14-17, "(Saint John) said to him (the Elder in heaven), "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore, they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple, and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Today is the day that the Christian Church worldwide honors all the Saints that have died in the Lord. But we must remember that as the 1662 Book of Common Prayer says that this holy day stands for "the unity of Christians of all ages, countries, and races in Christ, and the perfection of that unity in heaven."

So, while this day is when we remember those who died in the Lord, we must also remember that all people who believe in the saving work of Jesus are also Saints. You might wonder how that can be, but as Martin Luther put it, we are both Saints and Sinners simultaneously. Saints because of Jesus saving work on our behalf. Sinners because of our sinfulness.
I have attached a link to a hymn that was written for this day. (104) For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest - YouTube

Please pray with me: Heavenly Father, you have enriched us with such a wonderful universal church. We have many faithful examples to draw from, both living and dead. May the examples of Godly life of those from the past encourage us and may we as living Saints be able to shine your light, so that future generations may look back on our example and feel the same trust and conviction that we do. In Jesus' blessed name, I pray. Amen.