“Fill their faces with dishonor, that they may seek Your name, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever, and let them be humiliated and perish, that they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:16-18)

Let the wicked of the world be seen for what they are. Let it be known that they are doing wickedness. O Lord, remove them from the earth that the just may live in peace and harmony and not be fodder for the wicked. Keep order on the earth, O Lord, that those who wish to dwell in peace may do so in security. You are the Most High and all authority comes from You. Grant that we are governed by Your goodness and mercy.

Lord, I do not know what to think sometimes with all of the wickedness that is in the world. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I would not abide in the ways of the wicked, but learn to abide in You and Your ways. Help me to see the difference between these two positions that are constantly struggling against one another in this world.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us to abide in You so that You will abide in us. Help me to make You my resting place that I would truly abide in You. Lead me in the way of righteousness that I would do those things which are pleasing in the Father’s sight. In all things, teach me to love all people the way You love them and to walk humbly with You always, my Lord and my God. Amen.

“O my God, make them like the whirling dust, like chaff before the wind. Like fire that burns the forest and like a flame that sets the mountains on fire, so pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm.” (Psalm 83:13-15)

When we are threatened with circumstances we come to the Lord and ask Him to make things safe again. Look beyond the moment and see that He does allow for things to be as they are and He does cause those who do wickedness to blow away like the wind. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but many do not fear the Lord. You who do, turn to Him in good times as well as the bad times.

Lord, I do not want to be one of those who comes to you only when things are bad or when I want something. Grow in me a heart that loves You no matter the circumstances. Lead me into faithfulness in spite of the state of the world so that I may live in peace with You always. All things are in Your hands and You are the God of the just and the unjust. Lead me into Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord Jesus, You have told us that there would be wars and rumors of wars. You warned us to look at the signs, knowing that this world is mad and fighting against You. Guide me, O Lord, in Your way of peace that I may learn to love all, even my enemy. Help me to live this day trusting You instead of feeling the anxiety that is in this world. Guide me upward in the calling You have given me. Amen.

“Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.” (Psalm 83:9-10)

We witness in this world those who want to be in the place of God. They thrive for a while, but they too will end up in dust as we all must. Who can ascend to the throne of God and who is like the Most High? Do not be deceived by the rulers of this age, for they simply take for themselves what is God’s and tempt people to worship them. Come to the Lord of all and walk in the truth.

Lord, I have fallen into the temptation of thinking more highly of those around me than of You. Guide me, O Lord, to walk humbly before You that I would live in a right relationship with You who is the Creator of all things. Lead me in the way You would have me go that I may do what is pleasing in Your sight. Help me to see clearly those who are wicked and would push You aside.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us many things about those who seek to replace You with themselves. Guide me, O Lord, to know that only in You is the hope of eternity. Lead me in the way You would have me go that I may forever abide in You, knowing that You are abiding in me. You alone are King of kings and Lord of lords and there is no other. May I walk humbly with You today. Amen.

“Deal with them as with Midian, as with Sisera and Jabin at the torrent of Kishon, who were destroyed at En-dor, who became as dung for the ground.” (Psalm 83:9-10)

In our cries, we have specific things we want done. There are those who come against us and we want them to meet justice. Yet everything is in the Lord’s hands and must be done as He would direct. Yes, the Lord will wreck vengeance upon those who rise up against Him. He will lead His people in the ways of righteousness. Come to the Lord and see His goodness and mercy.

Lord, I see things and want results that I can understand. Faith, however, requires that I trust You above all things. In my heart there is a battle between what I see and the trust I need to have. Guide me into Your arms of mercy knowing that all things have always been in Your hands. Guide me in the way of truth that I may humbly walk with You in every circumstance knowing that all things are in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, You have told us that the nations will rise against each other and that there will be wars and rumors of wars, but that in the end it will be You who calls all out of their graves to meet You face to face. Everything has its purpose and You are the author and finisher of my faith. Lead me in the faith You have given me that I would walk humbly with You my Lord. Amen.

“For they have conspired together with one mind; against You they make a covenant: The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; they have become a help to the children of Lot.” (Psalm 83:5-8)

The children of the world, though they be enemies against each other, band together to conspire against the Lord. All of the wickedness of the ages is simply a repeat of the same thing in a different time and a different place. Those who practice wickedness will be destroyed. Yet, for a time it shall seem as though they have power. But God is Sovereign over all things and no one is able to thwart His will.

Lord, I do not understand the perpetual wickedness of the world. Yet for your purposes it has remained in this age of rebellion. Guide my heart to look to you knowing that all power and authority is in Your hands and that this age of continuous rebellion will one day cease. Help me keep my eyes upon Your salvation and my feet on the path of righteousness for Your Name’s sake.

Lord Jesus, You came into the middle of a rebellious time when people were stirred up. In that age it seemed as though Rome would always rule, but they fell. Help me see that You save amidst the turmoil and that no people that raise their heel against You shall prevail. Lead me this day in the way You would have me go that I may abide in Your presence now and forever. Amen.

“They make shrewd plans against Your people, and conspire together against Your treasured ones. They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.” (Psalm 83:3-4)

Ultimately, the wicked ones seek to destroy the faithful. Though they may not think of it in these terms, those who rise to power do not want faith to reign. Instead of freedom, they want tyranny, with themselves at the top. The Lord has promised to uphold the faithful and heaven and earth will pass away, but those who are in the Lord are forever. The name of the Lord is remembered.

Lord, when I am troubled and think the world mad, I wonder if the end is near. Times and seasons are in Your hands and only in You is there true hope. Keep my eye upon the prize, the joy of Your salvation, that I may simply abide in You this day and every day knowing that You are abiding in me. Lead me through all the troubles of this world to simply and humbly seek You.

Lord Jesus, it was as troubled in Your day as it has been any day since, yet many years have gone by. You have provided the way for us to walk. Humbly guide me in the way I should go no matter the circumstances that I would forever hold fast to the truth of Your Word. Lead me in the righteousness You grant by grace and help me now and always to hold fast to Your Word of truth. Amen.

“O God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, and those who hate You have exalted themselves.” (Psalm 83:1-2)

The world gets into a mood and there is an uproar. Nations rise up and have at each other and there is mayhem. Your hand has been there, yet your will declares that nation shall rise against nation. Keep your faithful steadfast in the greater war that they may not be overcome by the wickedness of the true adversary. Humble the proud and lift up the lowly that Your righteousness would prevail.

Lord, the world has gone through seasons and at any point there is a war somewhere. Amidst all the pain and death, speak to Your people that we would not abandon the only hope, which is You. Guide those who are and will be people of faith to focus on the greater things. Lead us through whatever may come into the righteousness You give through our Savior.

Savior of the world, You have spoken and told us that there would be tumult, wars and nations rising against each other. We live in the moment and panic. Calm our hearts to see once again that what You have given us is more than enough. Lead me this day to be a peacemaker amongst those with whom I dwell that I may hold fast to You in doing the Father’s will. Amen.

A FAITH FOR THE STORMS
Devotional for June 24, 2018 based upon Mark 4: 35-41

What are you afraid of? Everybody is afraid of something. A lot of people are afraid of flying in airplanes – especially smaller airplanes.

Imagine yourself in a small airplane – like one of those two-or-three-people-across, propeller type airplanes. You are being buffeted about in a terrible storm that is threatening to tear the small aircraft apart. If you do that, then you can appreciate the terror the disciples must have felt when that ferocious storm came down upon them on the Sea of Galilee.

For that sea can become unsettled by tremendous storms that suddenly come sweeping down upon the lake, which is several hundred feet below sea level. The disciples are caught in one of those storms. The wind and the waves are threatening to capsize their small boat. Only if you remember that several of the disciples were seasoned fishermen can you fully appreciate the ferociousness of this storm. A smaller, more normal storm they would have been able to take in stride. But this time the disciples are terrified. They are afraid they are going to die. So they wake up Jesus, who is fast asleep in the boat, and in total panic ask Jesus, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Every one of us goes through storms at various times in our lives. Some of these storms are like tornadoes. They come up suddenly and unexpectedly, as did this storm on the Sea of Galilee. Other storms are like hurricanes. You can see them coming for a long time before they arrive. They are the result of a long series of circumstances.

With both kinds of storms it sometimes seems that Jesus is asleep in the boat. We want to wake Him up and ask, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” All of us go through storms. The worst part is that sometimes Jesus seems to be asleep. We ask, Where is God in the storms of my life? Why doesn’t He intervene and stop the storm? Does He care? Is He asleep?

Our Bible story for this morning gives a resounding, Yes, Jesus does care. When the storms of life are raging, Jesus does care. When you think that you cannot hold on for one minute more, Jesus does care. When the waves are threatening to capsize you, Jesus does care.

The disciples wake Jesus from His sleep. Immediately He rebukes the wind and the waves as He says, “Peace! Be still!” The winds cease, and there is a great calm. Then Jesus turns to His disciples and asks, “Why were you afraid? Do you have no faith?”

And so, you see, the main question of life is not, How many storms will I have to go through? Or, How can I avoid the storms? Rather the main questions of life are, Do I have faith for the storms? And if I do not, how can I develop a faith for the storms? For we will all encounter storms. And sometimes it will seem that God is asleep. It is especially then that we will need a faith for the storms.

Do you believe in a God who loves you? Do you believe in a God who has promised never to forsake you? Do you believe that no matter how dark the clouds may seem, behind those clouds the sun still shines? Do you believe that beyond the cross is an empty tomb? If you do, then you can weather even the severest of storms. If you do not, then today is the day for you to ask God to give you that kind of faith.

Do you have a faith for even the severest of storms? What would happen to you if you were in a tiny, tiny boat in a terrible, terrible storm? Which is the predicament that the disciples were in. And which may be the predicament that you – and/or someone whom you know and/or love – is in. At times like those we need a storm-enduring faith that we have been nurturing for years. For if our faith is real, and our faith is our own, then we, too, will be able to hear the voice of the One who can calm all storms. “Peace! Be still!”

Dennis D. Nelson
President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE

“Nevertheless you will die like men and fall like any one of the princes.” Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is You who possesses all the nations.” (Psalm 82:7-8)

No matter the life we live, all fall under the condemnation of sin, which is death. Even the Savior subjected Himself to death. But death is not the final answer. The final answer is the One who saves. When death comes, the great equalizer puts to rest the rebellion. The Lord has judged the world already. Those who come to Him by His grace receive the gift He gives in salvation.

Lord, I look at the world and think in terms of the moment. I want justice and yet I am one who has also done injustice. Lead me to see simply that You are the One who holds all things in Your hands. You have revealed all that we need to know by appearing amongst us to carry upon Yourself our sins and the rebellion of this world. Under Your provision, lift me up with You.

Lord Jesus, Savior of us all, guide me in the salvation You have brought into the world. Guide me in the way You have established. Judgement is already upon the world and I see the recompense of the wickedness that rules this age. Lift me up to see the goodness You have unleashed that I may humbly walk with You, my Lord and my God. Amen.

“They do not know nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, “You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High.” (Psalm 82:5-6)

People walk in ignorance. To intentionally ignore is to remain ignorant. The message of the Lord is there, but it is ignored and excuses made. Many walk in the darkness of this age. The Lord has created us in His image to dwell with Him in eternity. We have been called in His mercy to walk with Him in the light of His countenance. He has toppled the wickedness of those walking in darkness.

Lord, You are all around and speak in many and various ways, but in these last days, You have spoken through Your Son. The world spends its time being busy and ignoring the upward call You have given through Your Messiah. You will make of us what You will make of us. You are the Lord, creator of all things. Lead me into the light You have shown that I may be Your child of light.

Jesus, You are the light of the world. As many as believe come into the salvation You have brought into the world. Lead me this day into Your light that I would live as one called to be Your brother. In the mystery of faith that You have revealed, grant me eyes to see and ears to hear the call You have given me and empower my feet to walk in the way You have shown Your disciples. Amen.