My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; for they will be a garland of grace on your head, and chains about your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9
God has placed our parents over us for our good, to teach us to know the LORD God and His Word and to correct us when we stray from His ways. It is indeed wise to hear the instruction of our fathers and to heed what our mothers teach us when they teach and guide us in the ways of the LORD, for it brings us rich blessing.
Grant that I honor and heed the instruction of my parents, O LORD, that I might learn Your ways and walk according to Your Word. Amen.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Right knowledge requires a right foundation and worldview upon which to base one’s understanding. A reverence and honor for the LORD God who created the heavens and earth and sent His Son into the world to redeem us is the beginning of true knowledge, but many despise and neglect the wisdom and instruction which God gives us in the Bible.
LORD God, grant that I read and study Your Word and honor You as my Creator and my Redeemer. Amen.
Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Galatians 6:18
Writing from Rome, this closing benediction of St. Paul to the believers in the churches of Galatia (a Roman province in what is now Turkey) expresses the will of the apostle that the believers there continue in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and not be persuaded by the errors of those advocating circumcision and a return to the worship laws and ceremonies of Old Testament Israel.
O God, graciously keep us in the true faith and protect us from the errors of those who would bring us back into bondage under the law. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Peace and mercy be on all who walk according to this rule and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Galatians 6:16-17
Those who hold to the teaching of salvation through faith alone and by grace alone for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and His innocent sufferings and death on the cross receive God’s mercy and the peace of sins forgiven. They are the true Israel of God. The true Israel holds to this teaching even though it brings persecution from those who advocate circumcision and the keeping of worship laws to merit God’s grace and favor.
Grant that I trust in You alone, O Christ, and not yield for a moment to the pressures of those who advocate a return to worship laws and ceremonies to merit God’s favor. Amen.
God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but a new creation. Galatians 6:14-15
Only in Jesus Christ and His cross can we sinners be saved. Being circumcised or uncircumcised will avail us of nothing before God. What matters is being brought to faith in Christ Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world and being regenerated, all by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word.
Grant that I trust in You alone, O Lord, and not look to the corrupt works of my flesh but to that which You work in me through the hearing of Your life-giving Word. Amen.