No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.[Romans 8:37-39]
It was World War I and the British lieutenant was leading his soldiers back to the front.
His men had seen considerable action in the trenches and all of them had lost friends and close comrades. They had been given a two-week furlough, but the time of rest and relaxation was over, and their orders said they must return to the conflict.
The soldiers' shoulders sagged because they knew ahead of them lay mud, blood and possible death.
Nobody talked. Nobody sang. It was a heavy time upon their hearts, made heavier by a dark sky and a steady, cold drizzle. As they marched, they passed the remnants of a church. The lieutenant's eyes were drawn inward. Although the walls of the church had been blasted by cannon and small-arms fire, the altar of the church was still intact.
And above the altar, miraculously having escaped damage was a statue of the risen Christ.
The lieutenant, a Christian, remembered His Redeemer who had suffered, died and victoriously conquered death with His third-day resurrection. He recalled how the knowledge and faith in the living Lord had given him forgiveness and eternal life. He knew, no matter what else happened to him, because of Jesus, he would also be victorious.
Although the lieutenant was not prepared to preach a sermon to his marching men, he did what he could. With faith in his heart, he barked out the order: "Eyes right!"
Every head turned to the right. As the soldiers marched by, they also saw the cross and the representation of the risen Redeemer. Many of those boys also drew comfort from those church symbols which had, almost miraculously, survived the conflict which had raged around them.
The soldiers took courage and with straightened shoulders they continued their march, but now with strength in their steps and a smile on their faces.
This morning, as I write this devotion, I don't know what battles and conflicts you are facing in your life. If, by God's grace, there are none, then I rejoice with you. I pray that the Lord continues to smile upon you.
On the other hand, if you are struggling, then I -- like that lieutenant -- encourage you to lift up your downcast eyes and see your Savior. He has successfully completed His divine mission of grace, which was designed to forgive our sins and save our souls.
Because of that, we, like St. Paul and hundreds of millions of other Christians, can rest secure in the knowledge that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may cast all my cares and concerns upon the Christ. Then, having done so, may I be given that peace which passes all human understanding. This I pray in the Savior's Name. Amen.
It was World War I and the British lieutenant was leading his soldiers back to the front.
His men had seen considerable action in the trenches and all of them had lost friends and close comrades. They had been given a two-week furlough, but the time of rest and relaxation was over, and their orders said they must return to the conflict.
The soldiers' shoulders sagged because they knew ahead of them lay mud, blood and possible death.
Nobody talked. Nobody sang. It was a heavy time upon their hearts, made heavier by a dark sky and a steady, cold drizzle. As they marched, they passed the remnants of a church. The lieutenant's eyes were drawn inward. Although the walls of the church had been blasted by cannon and small-arms fire, the altar of the church was still intact.
And above the altar, miraculously having escaped damage was a statue of the risen Christ.
The lieutenant, a Christian, remembered His Redeemer who had suffered, died and victoriously conquered death with His third-day resurrection. He recalled how the knowledge and faith in the living Lord had given him forgiveness and eternal life. He knew, no matter what else happened to him, because of Jesus, he would also be victorious.
Although the lieutenant was not prepared to preach a sermon to his marching men, he did what he could. With faith in his heart, he barked out the order: "Eyes right!"
Every head turned to the right. As the soldiers marched by, they also saw the cross and the representation of the risen Redeemer. Many of those boys also drew comfort from those church symbols which had, almost miraculously, survived the conflict which had raged around them.
The soldiers took courage and with straightened shoulders they continued their march, but now with strength in their steps and a smile on their faces.
This morning, as I write this devotion, I don't know what battles and conflicts you are facing in your life. If, by God's grace, there are none, then I rejoice with you. I pray that the Lord continues to smile upon you.
On the other hand, if you are struggling, then I -- like that lieutenant -- encourage you to lift up your downcast eyes and see your Savior. He has successfully completed His divine mission of grace, which was designed to forgive our sins and save our souls.
Because of that, we, like St. Paul and hundreds of millions of other Christians, can rest secure in the knowledge that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may cast all my cares and concerns upon the Christ. Then, having done so, may I be given that peace which passes all human understanding. This I pray in the Savior's Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Psalms 119: ל (Lamed)
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63141 United States
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org
____________________________
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Psalms 119: ל (Lamed)
89 Your word continues forever, Adonai,
firmly fixed in heaven;
90 your faithfulness through all generations;
you established the earth, and it stands.
91 Yes, it stands today, in keeping with your rulings;
for all things are your servants.
92 If your Torah had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my distress.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for with them you have made me alive.
94 I am yours; save me
because I seek your precepts.
95 The wicked hope to destroy me,
but I focus on your instruction.
96 I see the limits of all perfection,
but your mitzvah has no bounds.
מ (Mem)
97 How I love your Torah!
I meditate on it all day.
98 I am wiser than my foes,
because your mitzvot are mine forever.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
because I meditate on your instruction.
100 I understand more than my elders,
because I keep your precepts.
101 I keep my feet from every evil way,
in order to observe your word.
102 I don’t turn away from your rulings,
because you have instructed me.
103 How sweet to my tongue is your promise,
truly sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 From your precepts I gain understanding;
this is why I hate every false way.
נ (Nun)
105 Your word is a lamp for my foot
and light on my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
that I will observe your righteous rulings.
107 I am very much distressed;
Adonai, give me life, in keeping with your word.
108 Please accept my mouth’s voluntary offerings, Adonai;
and teach me your rulings.
109 I am continually taking my life in my hands,
yet I haven’t forgotten your Torah.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me,
yet I haven’t strayed from your precepts.
111 I take your instruction as a permanent heritage,
because it is the joy of my heart.
112 I have resolved to obey your laws
forever, at every step.
ס (Samekh)
113 I hate doubleminded people,
but I love your Torah.
114 You are my hiding-place and shield;
I put my hope in your word.
115 Leave me alone, you evildoers,
so that I can keep my God’s mitzvot.
116 Uphold me, as you promised; and I will live;
don’t disappoint me in my hope.
117 Support me; and I will be saved,
always putting my attention on your laws.
118 You reject all who stray from your laws,
for what they deceive themselves with is false.
119 You discard the wicked of the earth like slag;
this is why I love your instruction.
120 My body trembles for fear of you;
your rulings make me afraid.
ע (‘Ayin)
121 I have done what is just and right;
don’t abandon me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being;
don’t let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation
and for [the fulfillment of] your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant in accordance with your grace,
and teach me your laws.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
so that I can know your instruction.
126 The time has come for Adonai to act,
because they are breaking your Torah.
127 Therefore I love your mitzvot
more than gold, more than fine gold.
128 Thus I direct my steps by [your] precepts;
every false way I hate.
פ (Peh)
129 Your instruction is a wonder;
this is why I follow it.
130 Your words are a doorway that lets in light,
giving understanding to the thoughtless.
131 My mouth is wide open, as I pant
with longing for your mitzvot.
132 Turn to me, and show me your favor;
in keeping with [your] judgment for those who love your name.
133 Guide my footsteps by your word;
don’t let any kind of sin rule me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
and I will observe your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant,
and teach me your laws.
136 Rivers of tears flow down from my eyes,
because they don’t observe your Torah.
צ (Tzadeh)
137 You are righteous, Adonai;
and your rulings are upright.
138 You have commanded your instructions
in righteousness and great faithfulness.
139 My zeal is destroying me,
because my foes have forgotten your words.
140 Your word is refined to complete purity,
and your servant loves it.
141 I may be small and despised,
but I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is eternal righteousness,
and your Torah is truth.
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but your mitzvot are my delight.
144 Your instruction is righteous forever;
give me understanding, and I will live.
ק (Kuf)
145 Wholeheartedly I am calling on you;
answer me, Adonai; I will keep your laws.
146 I am calling on you; save me;
and I will observe your instruction.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes are open before the night watches,
so that I can meditate on your promise.
149 In your grace, hear my voice;
Adonai, in keeping with your justice, revive me.
150 The pursuers of carnality are getting close;
they are distancing themselves from your Torah.
151 You are close by, Adonai;
and all your mitzvot are truth.
152 Long ago I learned from your instruction
that you established it forever.
ר (Resh)
153 Look at my distress, and rescue me,
for I do not forget your Torah.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me;
in keeping with your promise, revive me.
155 Salvation is far away from the wicked,
because they don’t seek your laws.
156 Great is your compassion, Adonai;
in keeping with your rulings, revive me.
157 Although my persecutors and foes are many,
I have not turned away from your instruction.
158 I look at traitors with disgust,
because they don’t keep your word.
159 See how I love your precepts, Adonai;
in keeping with your grace, revive me.
160 The main thing about your word is that it’s true;
and all your just rulings last forever.
ש (Shin)
161 Princes persecute me for no reason,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I take joy in your promise,
like someone who finds much booty.
163 I hate falsehood, I detest it;
but I love your Torah.
164 I praise you seven times a day
because of your righteous rulings.
165 Those who love your Torah have great peace;
nothing makes them stumble.
166 I hope for your deliverance, Adonai;
I obey your mitzvot.
167 My soul observes your instruction,
and I love it so much!
168 I observe your precepts and instruction,
for all my ways lie open before you.
ת (Tav)
169 Let my cry come before you, Adonai;
in keeping with your word, give me understanding.
170 Let my prayer come before you;
in keeping with your promise, rescue me.
171 Let my lips speak praise,
because you teach me your laws.
172 Let my tongue sing of your promise,
because all your mitzvot are righteous.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
because I choose your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, Adonai;
and your Torah is my delight.
175 Let me live, and I will praise you;
let your rulings help me.
176 I strayed like a lost sheep; seek out your servant;
for I do not forget your mitzvot.
2 Thessalonians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, Sila and Timothy
To: The Messianic Community of the Thessalonians, united with God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah:
2 Grace to you and shalom from God the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
3 We have to keep thanking God for you always, brothers, as is appropriate; because your trust continues to grow greater, and the love you each have for one another continues to increase. 4 Therefore, we boast about you in the congregations of God because of your perseverance and trust in all the persecutions and troubles you are going through. 5 This is clear evidence that God’s judgment is just; and as a result, you will be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering. 6 For it is justice for God to pay back trouble to those who are troubling you, 7 and to give rest along with us to you who are being troubled, when the Lord Yeshua is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in a fiery flame. Then he will punish those who don’t know God,[2 Thessalonians 1:8 Isaiah 66:15; Jeremiah 10:25; Psalm 79:6] that is, those who don’t listen to the Good News of our Lord Yeshua and obey it. 9 They will suffer the just penalty of eternal destruction, far away from the face of the Lord and the glory of his might.[2 Thessalonians 1:9 Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21] 10 On that Day, when he comes to be glorified by his holy people and admired by all who have trusted, you will be among them, because you trusted our witness to you.
11 With this in view, we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill by his power every good purpose of yours and every action stemming from your trust. 12 In this way, the name of our Lord Yeshua will be glorified in you, and you in him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
____________________________
The Lutheran Hour660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63141 United States
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org
____________________________
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