We most surely believe that God preserved, instructed, multiplied, honored, adorned, and called from death to life his Kirk (Church) in all ages since Adam until the coming of Christ Jesus in the flesh. For he called Abraham from his father’s country, instructed him, and multiplied his seed; he marvelously preserved him, and more marvelously delivered his seed from the bondage and tyranny of Pharaoh; to them he gave his laws, constitutions, and ceremonies; to them he gave the land of Canaan; after he had given them judges, and afterwards Saul, he gave David to be king, to whom he gave promise that of the fruit of his loins should one sit forever upon his royal throne.
To this same people from time to time he sent prophets, to recall them to the right way of their God, from which sometimes they strayed by idolatry. And although, because of their stubborn contempt for righteousness he was compelled to give them into the hands of their enemies, as had previously been threatened by the mouth of Moses, so that the holy city was destroyed, the temple burned with fire, and the whole land desolate for seventy years, yet in mercy he restored them again to Jerusalem, where the city and temple were rebuilt, and they endured against all temptations and assaults of Satan till the Messiah came according to the promise.
To this same people from time to time he sent prophets, to recall them to the right way of their God, from which sometimes they strayed by idolatry. And although, because of their stubborn contempt for righteousness he was compelled to give them into the hands of their enemies, as had previously been threatened by the mouth of Moses, so that the holy city was destroyed, the temple burned with fire, and the whole land desolate for seventy years, yet in mercy he restored them again to Jerusalem, where the city and temple were rebuilt, and they endured against all temptations and assaults of Satan till the Messiah came according to the promise.
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God calls us. It's an amazing concept. To think that the God who created the universe has called human beings to live in partnership with God is incredible when you stop and think about it. Why would God want such a thing? What could God gain from the equation? We are so overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy. As someone said, "God is much smarter than we are." And yet God, out of God's infinite grace, calls us to gather together and worship. This worship looks different over the years to different people, and yet throughout the centuries it is our invitation, our opportunity, to give back to God and glorify the God who calls us to be in relationship. Thanks be to God!
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