The Law of the Lord is our delight. As Lutherans we teach that the Law shows us our sinful nature and drives us to the cross of Christ where we receive mercy and forgiveness. The Law is not something we can fulfill on our own, however knowing it helps us to understand the framework by which God calls us to live. Since we cannot keep the Law perfectly, God sent Jesus into the world to fulfill the law and free us from sin and death. His grace is what saves us and what we point others to in their own lives. We are sinner and saint, every one of us.

During the Church Year we remember the lives of those saints (who were also sinners) who have gone before us. We don’t do this to worship another human being, but to draw courage and strength from their walk with Christ Jesus. In the 17^th century there was a young man who was the son of an innkeeper. He studied at Winchester College and went on to Oxford before being ordained to the priesthood in 1662. His name was Thomas Ken (1637–1711). Thomas eventually found himself serving in Queen Mary’s court as one of the chaplains. He was not afraid to confront the royals when he had to, for he knew the Law of God very well. One such instance occurred when he refused to accommodate the mistress of King William. A similar instance occurred when Thomas was sent to be a chaplain in the court of King Charles who wanted Thomas to hide his mistress in the chaplain’s residence. Thomas reportedly told the King that it was not suitable that the royal chaplain should serve as the royal pimp (justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/128.html).

We can take courage from Thomas Ken when it comes to speaking the truth in love. Even if his words were not warm and fuzzy, he got his point across.

Thomas Ken was not only well versed in the Law of God, he was a bearer of the Gospel as well. You may know one of his works very well, even if you didn’t know who wrote it. Thomas was the author of what Christians call “The Doxology,” a song sung to the tune of Old Hundredth:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow / Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly host / Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

He is also well known for his prayer book A Manual of Prayers for the Use of Winchester Scholars, and All Other Devout Christians, as well as numerous hymns such as: “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun,” and “All Praise to Thee, My God this Night.”

On this feast day of Bishop Thomas Ken, I leave you with this advice and prayer from his prayer book:

“As soon as ever you awake in the morning… strive as much as you can, to keep all worldly thoughts out of your mind, till you have presented the first fruits of the day to God, which will be an excellent preparative, to make you spend the rest of it the better, and therefore be sure to sing the Morning and Evening Hymn in your chamber devoutly, remembering that the Psalmist, upon happy experience assures you, that it is a good thing, to tell of the loving kindness of the Lord early in the morning, and of his truth in the night season” (anglicanhistory.org).

Prayer:“Unto Thee, O my God, do I dedicate this day, and my whole life; O do Thou so bless and prosper me in my Studies, that I may every day grow more fit for Thy service” (Thomas Ken). Bless all those who are studying for the ministry, that they would grow and blossom in your Holy Word. Bless the President of the North American Lutheran Seminary Network, the Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen, that would rely on Your will and strength for the task of forming pastors for Your Church. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Devotion written by the Rev. Dr. Amy C. Little