John Dekker's Day

11:47AM - Thankful on Thursday #5: St. Andrew's Day

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ) and he brought him to Jesus. (John 1:40-42)

This will be my last "Thankful on Thursday" post. Next week, God willing, I will be in Tasmania, and though I hope to blog occasionally, I will have to give up regular posting. Anyway, today is St. Andrew's Day. As the above passage makes clear, Andrew was one of the first Christian missionaries. He is also the patron saint of Scotland...

Father, thank you for the life of St. Andrew, and for the example he set in bringing his brother to Jesus. Thank you for your grace working in the lives of your people to enable them to share the good news, and thank you for missionaries serving you all over the world, pointing people to the Christ.

Thank you for the land of Scotland, and its glorious history. Thank you for the Reformation that you worked in that country – thank you for Patrick Hamilton, George Wishart, John Knox and Andrew Melville. Thank you for the Presbyterian form of church government, and for the Reformed piety and missionary zeal demonstrated by so many in that country. Thank you for Robert Murray M'Cheyne, Rabbi Duncan, David Livingstone and Eric Liddell.

Father, thank you for all who have gone before us in the faith. Thank you for the way in which you are working in our own lives, in the stories of different countries, and in the history of the world, in order to accomplish your purposes. Thank you for redeeming a people for yourself through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.