“I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, to You, O Lord, I will sing praises. I will give heed to the blameless way. When will You come to me?” (Psalm 101:1-2)

Do you walk as one who is in repentance, knowing that the way of the Lord is righteous and true? Do you seek to do things the way the Lord would have you do them? Are you comfortable in the sight of the Lord knowing that His necessary grace is as much a part of your life as breathing itself? Do you walk alongside the Lord knowing He is walking alongside you?

Lord, You and I know that I am a sinner, but also that You have provided the needed grace so that I may go to work in my life of faith. Guide me to take seriously this life You have given me that I may now and always walk as one who is under Your guidance. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go and help me overcome those obstacles that hinder my walking humbly with You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to pave the way for the faithful to walk in the way of righteousness. Lead me, O Lord, in the way I need to go that I may listen as You direct and be guided by the eternal principles that You have commanded. May I learn from You to be humble, faithful and live in the repentance You require. May my life be increasing in the righteousness You give. Amen.

“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.  As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish before God.”  (Psalm 68:1-2)

The way of the wicked is before us.  It remains in every culture, time and place.  First, the Lord must remove the wickedness in us.  By His grace and mercy He does. Then He will remove all wickedness from among the faithful.  This is the prayer of the righteous.  Lord, melt away all the wickedness of the world that only faithfulness would remain and righteous praise be heard.

Lord it is easy for me to deflect the truth and say that the wicked out there need to be removed,as I say it in wickedness.  Create in me a heart that is both bold and compassionate that I would stand fast upon Your Word in full repentance, while also desiring Your Kingdom and the goodness that has been displaced in this world by the wicked.  Lead me Lord where I need to be.

Lord Jesus, You are the hope of every generation.  Lead me in the way of truth that I would first seek You and the righteousness You offer, knowing that only then shall all other things that are needed be added.  Help me through the daily struggles to know that there are wicked in the world, and sometimes I am one of them; but my trust and hope is in You, O Lord, my God and my Savior.  Amen.

“He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence.” (Rev. 7:15)

The old sinner in us doesn’t always like the term “shelter.”  Are we so weak that we need someone to shelter us?  Didn’t we cut the apron strings?  Shouldn’t Christians, in particular, be more questing, advocates in the public square for what is good and right and true?  Away with this mild Lord of shelter! (says the old, proud sinner . . . .)

And then 26 believers end up dead in a pool of blood as babies scream, mothers weep, and a nation goes on fighting.  Sudden illness cuts down beloved friends and family.  Opportunists prey on the young and deceive the poor, and an entertainment industry peddles vile myths to corrupt the soul.  Even churches quake with heresy, pressing the faithful into doubt, frustration, and a love of division.  

Come, O Shelter of the faithful!  What strength it takes to shelter others: resolve, compassion, and the willingness to go and seek the lost.  It takes a Man who would even bear a cross to overcome the power of death.  This Man is God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who knows you by name; whose love for you is stronger than death; and who will bring you, with great joy, to the throne that He shares eternally with His Father.  Have no fear, little flock!

LET US PRAY:  Protect, defend, and deliver us from evil, good Shepherd of the sheep.  By Your two-edged sword, that living word, silence the ancient enemy, curb all evil designs, bring us to repentance, and preserve Your Church in perfect peace until the day of Your appearing; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”” (Romans 12:19)

In October 2011, the United States dedicated a memorial to that great civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.  It was King who once said, “Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

Dr. King spoke this way because he was a Christian, steeped in the love of Jesus Christ.  He, our Lord, did not raise His voice against those who betrayed, arrested, and crucified Him.  To the contrary, He prayed for their forgiveness.  That mercy changed the world.

Does our nation listen today?  How the calls for revenge do rage.  Retaliation, just desserts, self-satisfaction—these cries riddle our public square.  There’s only one lasting solution, the remedy that satisfies every soul, silences tyrants, and calms nations: the cross of Jesus, where five wounds and an ocean depth of mercy swallowed anger and proclaimed for peace.  Raise that cross, and raise that voice, Christians; forgive, as you have been forgiven.

LET US PRAY:  Lord, You bid the whole world to come to You and rest.  Grant Your rest to every injured heart, and breathe Your Spirit of reconciliation into every community divided by accusation, that through the path of repentance and forgiveness Your world would know the peace that transcends understanding.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau