Month: October 2024

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

Courageous Witness

Daily Devotion – October 31, 2024

Devotion based on Psalm 46:1


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The story is told that when times were dark, when persecution was intense, when the enemies of truth appeared to triumph, Martin Luther would gather his fellow reformers. He would urge them, “Come, let us sing the 46th Psalm.” Eventually, Luther took the words of that psalm and composed one of the greatest hymns of the Lutheran church— “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

As we seek to be courageous witnesses for Christ, where can we go when things get bad, when times get dark, when the opposition to Christ and his Word gets so bad that the enemies of truth seem to triumph? As Luther explains in his hymn, “With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected…” (Christian Worship 863:2) If it were up to us and our ability, the battle would be over before it even started. Satan and the sinful world would be able to claim victory without a fight.

“But for us fights the valiant one whom God himself elected. You ask, ‘Who is this?’ Jesus Christ it is, the almighty Lord, and there’s no other God; he holds the field forever.” (Christian Worship 863:2) The courageous witness need not be afraid, because it’s not up to us to fight for Christ. It is not up to us to preserve the gospel or the Christian church. We have One who already preserves the Word, the Church, and us—the almighty Lord who “holds the field forever.”

When times get dark, when the opposition of loved ones, coworkers, or classmates gets bad, the enemies of the truth seem to triumph. Where will we find a mighty fortress that not even Satan can destroy? We look to our God who is “an ever-present help in trouble.” We look to Christ, who has already won by his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Then we will see every one of Satan’s terrible attacks crash against that mighty fortress and disappear like so many waves. “The God of Jacob is our fortress!” (Psalm 46:11)

Prayer:
O Lord, be my rock and refuge, my mighty fortress against the old evil foe. Amen.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
Daniel 3:28

Even to the Point of Death

Daily Devotion – October 30, 2024

Devotion based on Daniel 3:28


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Is Christ worth dying for?

Three men found themselves staring at the reality of a fiery death. They had been loyal to King Nebuchadnezzar, but that loyalty could go no further when he demanded that they bow to a tall, golden idol of himself. To refuse would mean death by fiery furnace. Many others had bowed out of fear, but not these three. They were faithful to the Lord, who had always watched over them. They would remain faithful to him, even if they lost their lives.

When they refused to worship the idol, the king got so enraged that he had the furnace heated to an extreme temperature. The flames consumed even the strong soldiers who threw the men into the furnace. Yet we hear no begging, no cries for mercy from the three faithful men. They knew that their God could save them in life or by death.

Will we find ourselves in such a situation? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Either way, the God who saved those three men is the same God who saves us. Even Nebuchadnezzar had to acknowledge that. But how can you be sure? You have a Savior who endured to the end for you, who suffered the punishment of death we all deserve for our sins. You have a Savior who abandoned the tomb for you on Easter morning.

You have a God who promises to deliver you when you must stand firm, whether in this life or by bringing you into eternal life. No one else can do that. Can we live a life of courageous witness even to the point of death? With Christ as our Savior-God, we can!

Prayer:
O Lord, it is far too easy for me to cave into the pressures and opposition of this world. Forgive my sins and help me to see that you will deliver me in this life or the life to come. Amen.

He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Daniel 3:25

You’re Not Alone

Daily Devotion – October 29, 2024

Devotion based on Daniel 3:25


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Satan loves when followers of Christ are isolated. Like sheep getting separated from the flock, the devil looks for those times when we are alone or isolated away from Christ’s flock. At the very least, he uses our sinful natures to make us think we’re alone and isolated, that no one else is going through what we’re going through, especially if we are suffering for the sake of Christ.

While Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had courageously witnessed to the true God before an angry king, you wonder how they felt before they were tossed, turbans and all, into the blazing furnace. Did they wonder if God would rescue them? Did they wonder if the flames would destroy them as they had destroyed the soldiers accompanying them? Did they hope it would be quick? God’s Word doesn’t tell us what they were thinking, but we are told they were not alone.

As King Nebuchadnezzar watched all this play out, he noticed not just three men in the fiery furnace but four—one who “looks like a son of the gods.” There is good reason to believe that what he saw was an angel sent by God to protect those three men by suspending the physical properties of fire. They came out of that furnace safe and alive without a hint of smoke. The Lord, their faithful God, had not abandoned them in their hour of need.

Nor does he abandon you! We are called to live the lives of courageous witnesses—and that is not easy. Remaining faithful to Christ and his Word often means hostility, skepticism, opposition, and even persecution. Yet we are not alone. The same God who did not abandon the three men will never abandon us. He will always be with us, as he has promised repeatedly in his Word. As he powerfully rescued those three men, Christ has rescued us through his life, death, and resurrection. With Christ, we will never be alone!

Prayer:
O Lord, when the heat of opposition comes my way, shield me from harm and keep me from danger. Never leave me until I join you in the glories of heaven. Amen.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18

Courageous to Witness

Daily Devotion – October 28, 2024

Devotion based on Daniel 3:16-18


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It’s hard to look the king in the eye and say, “Here I stand.”

It was hard for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They had already been through so much. They had witnessed the destruction of their homes and endured exile to a foreign land a thousand miles away. Yet the Lord had richly blessed them, or so it seemed until they stood up for their faith. When the king had a gold image of himself ninety feet tall and nine feet wide built to make the people prove their patriotic loyalty to him, those three young men refused to bow down to anyone except the true God.

They stood firm when the king howled with rage. They trusted in God’s ability to deliver them, even through death. They stood firm because they knew their Savior-God. He remained faithful to them through terrible times and would never let them down.

Would we be able to stand firm and courageous to witness in the face of hostile opposition? By nature, we would fail. Our sinful hearts are too quick to give in.

How, then, will we stand firm? We look to the One who has already saved us. We find confidence in the God who delivers us from evil in this life or the life to come. We find confidence in the Savior who has already overcome this hostile world for us. By faith, we can courageously confess our loyalty to Christ’s holy name because he is the God who has saved us from sin and death. He is the only true God, and we will only serve him.

Prayer:
O Lord, in the face of pressure and opposition, even persecution, help me to stand firm and be your witnesses. Remove fear from my heart and make me bold to confess that you alone are the true God and my only Savior. Amen.

This is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father.
Jeremiah 31:7-9

God’s Outstanding Deliverance

Daily Devotion – October 27, 2024

Devotion based on Jeremiah 31:7-9


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The prophet Jeremiah had a difficult message to deliver. The people of Israel had turned from their God, and he was going to punish them. Jeremiah prophesied that Israel would be taken into captivity by a foreign nation. Because they had turned their backs on God, the Lord sent a punishment to show them the error of their ways.

But because he is a gracious and loving God, he also promised to deliver them from their captivity. The most outstanding feature of Israel’s deliverance was that it was all-inclusive. Traveling long distances was especially hard in Jeremiah’s day for those who had physical limitations. But because the Lord cared for them, even the lame, the blind, expectant mothers, and women in labor would be brought back safely.

Today, we can still stand in awe of God’s outstanding deliverance. We have given into sin like God’s people before us. Sin takes us captive, and we can’t save ourselves. But God showed his incomparable strength and love by sending Jesus to release us from the captivity of sin. He gave his life on the cross to pay for our forgiveness and release. Just as God delivered his people in Jeremiah’s day, he has delivered his people through Jesus today.

Prayer:
Lord, forgive my sins and fill my heart with peace. As I go about my activities today, uplift me with the power of your presence and the assurance of your love through Jesus. Amen.

It was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer. . . After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied, by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great. . . For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:10-12

Greatness

Daily Devotion – October 26, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 53:10-12


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How do you define greatness?

According to one dictionary, greatness is defined as “a person who has achieved importance or distinction in a field.”

Would you define greatness with the name Felix Baumgartner? On October 14, Baumgartner set the record for successfully skydiving from a height of 24 miles above the earth. He also became the first person to break the speed of sound outside of a vehicle. That is pretty great. According to the world, greatness is often displayed through outward acts of glory.

God has a different definition of greatness. Through Isaiah, God defines true greatness with the name Christ Jesus. God’s definition of greatness centers on humble service.

Our sinful flesh doesn’t want to hear this. It screams to be first. But the Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18). There is no place in the Christian life for selfish ambition. Selfish desire for greatness separates us from God and casts us under his judgment.

But God doesn’t want anyone to suffer for sin. Instead, it was the Lord’s will to crush Jesus under the weight of our sin and cause him to suffer for our guilt.

When it comes to greatness, no one has achieved greater importance or distinction than Jesus. Felix Baumgartner descended from 24 miles above the earth. Jesus came from heaven itself. Baumgartner broke the sound barrier. Jesus bore the sins of the world, breaking the sin barrier between us and God. Jesus is great, not because he performed signs and wonders, but because he provided our salvation.

Prayer:
Jesus, you are the greatest! Help me achieve greatness through a life of humble service to you. Amen.

He poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:12

He Even Added Intercession

Daily Devotion – October 25, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 53:12


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“Put in a good word for me.”

That’s what people say when they ask you to be a reference for them on a job application. You will be especially helpful to them if you already work for the company and have a good reputation there. You can intercede for them like no one else can. But if you know that the person will be a bad worker, do you still put in a good word for them?

Jesus knew that all people who ever lived would not be good workers. They would sin against him. He died to take the punishment for that sin as if he did it himself. God made him who had no sin to be sin for them.

Then, without even being asked, Jesus put in a good word for them. He interceded for them with God the Father and said, “I know those people have sinned, transgressing against your holy law. But I took the punishment for it, so you can forgive those people and welcome them to heaven.”

Jesus is taking the time right now to put in a good word for you. He has an excellent reputation with God the Father, and his intercession is enough to guarantee you a permanent place in the kingdom of God.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for pleading for me and giving me the opportunity to serve you. Amen.

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:10

You Will Never Suffer Hell

Daily Devotion – October 24, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 53:10


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Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah got a glimpse of what Jesus would do. The details in Isaiah chapter 53 lead us to believe that Isaiah saw pretty clearly how Jesus would die on a cross. The selfless sacrifice of the suffering servant of the Lord is portrayed in graphic terms.

Isaiah also spoke of the purpose of the suffering. The death of Jesus was an offering for sin. But Jesus had never sinned! Separated from God the Father while hanging on the cross, Jesus suffered hell, the appropriate punishment for sin. He declared that this suffering was for every sin ever committed by anyone in the world, and he proved that he paid the price for all that sin by rising from the dead. He still lives, and he always will.

Jesus suffered hell for you so that you will never suffer hell. Connected to Jesus by faith, you receive forgiveness for your sins and eternal life with him in heaven. God wants you to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Nearly two thousand years after Jesus died, you have an even clearer view of the details and purpose of his suffering than Isaiah did.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for suffering hell in my place and promising me eternity in heaven with you. Amen.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. . . I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:19,23

Doing What’s Best for Others

Daily Devotion – October 23, 2024

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 9:19,23


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It may be a virtue to put other people’s needs ahead of your own, but it can burn you out fast. Compassion fatigue is a real thing. Needy people can take everything out of you. Unappreciative people can make you resentful.

If you are going to find out other people’s needs and try to meet them, it’s best to have a clear purpose for doing that. In today’s Bible reading, the encouragement is to do all that for the sake of the gospel.

That means that while you are sympathetic to the perceived needs of people, you know that their real greatest need is a connection to Jesus as their Savior. People need to acknowledge that they are sinners, and they need to hear that Jesus forgives them. That’s the gospel.

When you look at your life of service through that lens, you will share in the blessings of the gospel. Acknowledging that you are a sinner makes you more patient with unappreciative people who are sinners, too. Hearing that Jesus forgives you gives you the strength to forgive them.

In fact, the gospel is an endless source of motivation and energy for going out of your way to serve others.

Prayer:
Jesus, give me perseverance and strength to win people for you. Amen.