Daily Devotions
Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. Hosea 12:1
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
The Bible clearly says the people of Israel enjoyed many blessings from God.
Even so, they quickly forgot His handiwork in their lives. Instead of depending on the Lord, they preferred to trusting and depending on themselves and worldly kings. The prophet Hosea points out their mistake and warns them that a life which forsakes God will end up void and empty.
To make them understand, he uses the allegories they feed on the wind, pursue the east wind.
Christians know God Himself is the spring for all blessings. When people depend on Him, they not only are blessed but, given faith in Jesus, they become His own, and He becomes their all in all. On the other hand, neglecting God means refusing His presence which, no matter what else we might have, gives us a life of emptiness and failure.
I wonder have you ever experienced a time when your own life’s problems seemed to be greater than God? Or, is it possible when your own ability and strength seemed to be greater than our Lord? It is precisely at such times we must remember these things we’ve been trusting and depending upon: that is, the wealth, the friends, the strength. They will vanish and pass like the wind.
Can I give you an example?
Our office knows of a young lady; Nadu is her name. She lives in a small town in Tamil. Working in a government office, Nadu had a good life and many trusted friends. It was one of those trusted friends who lied about her and accused her of stealing from work. Having felt she had lost everything, Nadu began to consider suicide.
It was then she watched one of our TV programs. Even though Nadu had been raised Hindu, the Holy Spirit spoke to her through our program. Before it had ended she had been given both hope and a Savior. Oh, I should tell you she was also given a healthy dose of courage. Rallying, Nadu fought and won the case against her. All charges were dismissed.
Now, trusting in Jesus, Nadu attends a nearby church.
Hers is an example for us all. Trust in God and do not try to feed on wind. Trust in the Lord and do not run after that which is soon gone. Only the Lord God is almighty and full of wisdom. Only He loves you enough to send His only begotten Son Jesus to redeem you from the bondages of sin, sickness and Satan.
So I encourage you: stop running after the wind. Instead, depend on the Lord who substitutes faith for that which is foolish and the Savior for all that is insubstantial.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, my God, help me to depend upon Your grace and not the breezes that are here and quickly gone. Grant me wisdom to trust on the mercies won by my Savior. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today’s international devotion was written by Rev. P. Chelladurai, a retired pastor from the Nagercoil Synod of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor has served in various congregations in the Nagercoil Synod and as editor of the Lutheran Church’s official magazine. He is an active volunteer for Lutheran Hour Ministries in India. He helps us with our Daily Devotions for those who speak the Tamil language as well as authoring vacation Bible school (VBS) lessons for youth. In this country of one billion people, LHM-India offers around-the-clock Internet-based Gospel outreach programming. This 50-plus-year-old ministry center shares the story of God’s redemptive work in Jesus by sponsoring rallies, stage plays, public music programs and dance. Using cassettes, printed literature and with Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) offered in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi Marathi, Gujarati and English, thousands of people have heard the Good News.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.