This 3-day devotion series, shared by The Lutheran Home Association’s chaplains, focuses on how we benefit from knowing and understanding the confidence we should have in the Lord.
The Lutheran Home Association
Day 1
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Confidence in Christ
by Rev. Mark Bartsch
Do you feel sometimes as if you are being punished for your sins? People say, “God must be punishing me for something I have done wrong. I am paying for my sins.”
As we live our lives in the world, we may suffer persecution for our faith. People might scoff at us and ridicule us for believing in Jesus. People may turn away from us or ignore us because they know we are Christians. Upholding the truth of God’s Word in our world today has become a daunting task. Ask the Christian shop owner how much ridicule he has faced lately from those who do not believe in God.
You are not being punished for sins. God punished His Son, Jesus, for all the sins of the world. “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53: 5)
We can now be Confident in Christ. Paul writes, “He [God] will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.” God will send His terrible judgment on those who persecuted us believers. Our persecutors will not be saved. We believers will rejoice in glory.
We look forward with believing hearts to Judgment Day, to the day “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” Earthly suffering and persecution will disappear. We will be in Heaven with Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Our Confidence in Christ will be rewarded.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, we rejoice with believing hearts. At Judgment Day, You assure us of a place in glory with You. Thank You for the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life. “Forever with the Lord! Amen! So let it be. Life from the dead is in that word, My immortality.” [Christian Worship hymnal, #213, v. 1] Amen.
Day 2
Scripture: Isaiah 35:4
Jesus is coming…to save you!
by Rev. Joel Gaertner
A song that is heard around Christmas probably came to mind as you read those opening words.
In December, people are decorating, attending events, and visiting loved ones. Although this isn’t wrong, ask, “What is the most important thing they are looking forward to in the next few weeks?”
I enjoy the food, festivities, and family time of the Christmas season, but all of those things fade quickly. When the food has been eaten, the festivities are over, and the family is gone, what do you have?
As Isaiah looks forward to the coming of Jesus, his words—“Be strong, do not fear”—show complete confidence in the Lord. These words give us several reasons to have that same confidence as we look forward to the preparation and celebration of Jesus at Christmas.
When we are weak or troubled, Jesus gives us strength and removes our fear. How? “He will come to save you.” Because Jesus came to take care of our greatest problem—sin—He can help us to deal with any problem caused by sin. Weakness, fear, doubt, worry, and all of the other problems are a result of sin. All things that try to rob us of joy not just at this time of the year but throughout the entire year, Jesus saved us from.
Savor the food.
Enjoy the festivities.
Treasure family time.
Most of all, look forward to and celebrate the coming of Jesus. You need what He brings after the merriment of this season is done. He will be there for you, save you, give you strength, take away your fear, and give you His love. Always.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, during this busy time of the year, there are so many things that try to catch our attention or demand our time. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the next several weeks, help me to focus on Jesus and to prepare for His coming and what He comes to bring me. Amen.
Day 3
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15
Set apart Christ as Lord!
Rev. Patrick Feldhus
A lot of fear exists out in the world. People fear the unknown AND the known. People fear sickness, disease, and viruses. People fear doing good deeds for others only to have those good deeds rejected. What do you fear?
The world can be a scary place, and if you have ever read Revelation, it is not going to get better. As time moves on, things will get worse, and fear can become the norm. How do believers react? Believers will set apart Christ as Lord. Why is this so significant for believers?
Because Christ is Lord, He assured you cannot lose. You have victory over fear! He won this victory by giving up His life and taking it up again. Think about everything people fear…those things cannot undo what Christ the Lord has accomplished for you! No matter how many disasters you face, Jesus is still Lord. He is in complete control, and He will bring you to His side. The devil, the world, and your sinful flesh cannot undo what Christ the Lord has finished. Your sin and guilt are gone, and Christ the Lord gifted you with His righteousness. Heaven is open to you!
Every time you set apart Christ as Lord, you remind yourself and others that Jesus won complete and total victory over fear. You will become a beacon of hope to those who live in fear. Your Lord will use you to bring the victory to them. This is why you will want to set apart Christ as Lord!
Prayer: Our Lord Jesus Christ, help us to set You apart in our hearts as Lord so that we have confidence in the face of fear. Give us opportunities to point others who are full of fear to Your victory. In Your name we pray. Amen.