Devotions

“Still Growing in God’s Grace”

Devotion 5

A favorite Peanuts comic strip features Lucy, the right fielder on Charlie Brown’s hapless baseball team, chasing a fly ball and shouting, “I got it! I got it! At least I think I got it.” After Lucy misses the catch and the ball falls to the ground, she laments, “Sorry manager, the older you get the less sure you become about a lot of things.”Maybe there are days, even recent days, when you appreciate what Lucy was saying. Perhaps you, too, believe that the older you get the less sure you are about a lot of things. These things could include such matters as your health, your finances, your memory, and even your ability to quickly make clear and decisive decisions. How sure are you feeling today about such matters, or even about God? God meets our concerns about being sure of ourselves by reassuring us about HIS certainty in all matters. Oh, to be sure, God is and remains sure about His condemnation of sin; but, even more so, God is and remains sure about His love for you. His love includes the certainty of your forgiveness through Jesus, your status as His chosen one, the faithful delivery of His care to you, His presence at your side at all times, and your home with Him and with all believers in heaven.“Into my Father’s heart I gaze, for in His heart is surely found free mercy without end and bound.” (Lutheran Worship #360)Thank you, Lord for the certainty of Your love for me – year in and year out. Strengthen my faith in You and comfort me always with Your constant presence and goodness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.​

“Growing Together in God’s Grace”Devotion 5

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “This time, like all times, is a very good one if we but know what to do with it.” Perhaps you want to believe (or even do believe) that this time in your life is very good, but that you find yourself struggling mightily with exactly what to do with it.Maybe you struggle with uncertainty about your job and find yourself at the proverbial “fork in the road” due to your vocational unrest or even your employer’s unrest. Perhaps your uncertainty concerns your finances or your health; how to make ends meet or how to find meaningful respite to regain a sense of physical or emotional well-being. Perhaps your uncertainty concerns a loved one, perhaps how to best care for an older family member or friend whose needs seem significantly more pronounced than even months or weeks ago. Yes, this time, today, may be “good,” but your uncertainty may have you feeling that today is far, far from truly good.The Lord invites us to ponder what is truly good, and the foremost good is not a “something” but is a Someone – Your Lord. His goodness and mercy are sure and certain. His resourcefulness is sure and certain. His presence at your side is sure and certain. And His wherewithal to calm you, to refresh you, and to lead you is sure and certain.“I am trusting You to guide me; You alone shall lead, every day and hour supplying all my need.” (Lutheran Worship #408)Lord, this is the day You have made, and it is a good day and a good time. Lift my heart through Your sure and certain love for me. Strengthen my faith in You and give me Your strength to see in this moment and its trials Your wisdom and ceaseless care. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.