Like many Moravians, I drew a Watchword as the new year began. This Watchword – a single verse from the 2019 Moravian Daily Texts – offers personal words of guidance for the coming year.
The one I drew is from 1 Thessalonians 5:9 – “God has destined us not for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…” – words that offer the comfort and hope that we will be saved through Jesus.
I’ve since read the whole chapter from which this verse comes. While not a biblical scholar, my take on the fifth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians is very encouraging. It tells us that we are “all children of light and children of the day,” and encourages us to “put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.” Then, a few verses later, Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”
The hymn stanza that accompanies the Bible verse adds to the uplifting nature of my 2019 Watchword. I’m especially touched by the part of the stanza, from Hymn 528, that reads, “…blessed is our lot indeed/in your ransomed congregation/here we on your merits feed/and the wellsprings of salvation/all the needy to revive and cheer…”
My 2019 Watchword card is now taped to the calendar on the wall of my office, right over my computer monitor. As I work throughout the year, it will serve as a constant reminder of God’s promise of salvation. And I look forward to making March 9—the day on which this Daily Texts appears—a special one.
In this issue of The Moravian, we share a story of a new way the Daily Texts are being shared (and more stories will follow soon!). In addition, we highlight a powerful story of new work in Peru; the reflections of youth from around the world who visited the U.S.; stories of Moravians meeting to learn and grow; and more.
I hope you enjoy this issue and, as always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Peace,
