“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.

“Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4)

Lord, You are righteous; and there are those in this world whose hearts are filled with wickedness. Lead Your faithful to protect the weak and fatherless that they may have the opportunity for goodness and mercy. Grant those placed in authority hearts that protect the innocent and hold fast to what is good and right. Keep the people in safety and lead Your faithful to be bold to protect the weak.

Lord, in this world there is much injustice. Amidst those crying for justice are those who are led by wicked people, manipulated to promote injustice in the name of justice. Grant us eyes to see through the devilishness of this age that Your faithful people would simply do what is right and fitting as they are able. Grant wisdom to those who will listen that Your justice prevail amongst the people.

Lord Jesus, You are the answer to the injustice of this world. Guide me in Your wisdom to do what You give me to do. Grant me a heart that trusts You first that I may not act upon my own heart, but always come to You knowing that You will lead me with Your righteousness. May I now and always trust that You alone are able to judge the hearts of others. You are Lord of lords. Lead me now and always, Jesus. Amen.

“God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” (Psalm 82:1-2)

Who knows all things but God? Who can rightly judge the reality of the heart but the Lord alone. Leaders are raised up to govern, but not to judge by anything other than what the law clearly stipulates. You and I do not know who is truly wicked or whom it is that, in desperation, act the way they do. The Lord will correctly judge all according to their heart. Come to the Lord and receive His righteousness.

Lord, I see things and make determinations based upon what I see. Help me take a step back and recognize that only You know what is in our hearts. Guide me to trust You in all things, knowing that You are in our midst. Lead me to discern right from wrong, but to be slow to act when dealing with others amidst things I do not know. You alone are the One who is able to determine the righteous from the wicked.

Lord Jesus, even amongst Your disciples there was Judas who betrayed You. By Your example, teach me to be wary of judging when I cannot know what is in the other’s heart. Let me not look at the outward things, but see to it that the judgement of the Holy Spirit upon my own heart is effective to move me ever more closely to You. Lead me this day according to the Father’s will to do what is good and right. Amen.

“I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their adversaries. The haters of Yahweh would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. But he would have also fed them with the finest of the wheat. I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock.” (Psalm 81:14-16)

The life the Lord offers is a good life, both now and forever. Stand fast in the truth of the Lord and seek first His kingdom. Do not be satisfied with the pablum from the wicked, but the truth of the Lord which is forever. Stand fast in His mercy and know His goodness. He alone is able to satisfy the longing of every heart. He alone is forever and grants eternal life. Come to Him and see.

Lord, in this crazy world, I am often overcome by circumstances and dwell only in the moment forgetting Your promises. Help me to come out of my shell and live knowing that You are God. Guide me in Your goodness that I would walk with You in all of my ways. Lead me now and forever to come ever closer to being like the Savior, Jesus, that I would be one of Your children.

Lord Jesus, You have come bringing the power to become a child of the Heavenly Father. By Your grace alone can we overcome the sin of this world. Lead me in Your grace that I would be satisfied in the goodness of the Father. Create in me a new and clean heart that I would walk upright and humble in Your presence. Satisfy my heart with the good things You know I need. Amen.

“So I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, that they might walk in their own counsels. Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!” (Psalm 81:12-13)

The people walk in the counsel of their hearts. What do they know? When they listen only to themselves, from their own limited view of things, what can they understand? Do not listen just to your heart, but to the Lord who knows all things. Come to the One who created you and know the freedom that comes from knowing that you are in His hands. Walk in His ways and live.

Lord, I do trust myself even though I know that I am untrustworthy. I listen all too often to my own counsel even though I know that it is not good. Help me not live by the wickedness that is in my heart, but by the truth that You have spoken for all ages. Guide me in the truth of Your Word and help me to live by Your Word, first and foremost. Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go.

Lord Jesus, You have the words of eternal life. To whom else should we go? Lead me out of my fickle heart which does not understand and is prideful and into the truth which You have revealed for all people. Help me now and always to live according to Your never-changing word that I may abide in You as You abide in me, doing what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Lead me today, Lord Jesus. Amen.

“For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Here is the Christian’s courage.

A thousand things can attack us in the flesh, from accidents to illnesses, from crime to war.  As we go into a day, we don’t know what will happen; every morning starts a venture of which we cannot see the ending.  The unknown is so great, not only for each of us individually, but also for our families, neighborhoods, and churches.

Yet God has breathed His Holy Spirit into the believer, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.  By His own word of promise, God declares that we belong to the world to come, the same world that broke into this earth through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The destruction of our “earthly tent” (our flesh, our homes, our lives as we now know them) cannot destroy our “heavenly tent,” the body of Christ.

God pitched that heavenly tent among you through the birth of His Son, and He opened the flap of it in His Son’s wounds, handing Him over for sinners.  Now, He has zippered you securely in its shelter through the ministry of His Spirit, making for you a home in His mercy.

Of what shall you be afraid?

LET US PRAY: Fill me with courage, good Lord, and let no fear of loss or suffering prevent me from abiding with You, both here on earth and in the world to come; through Jesus, Your Son.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau