He will not let your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3
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 of The Lutheran Hour
Have you ever had fun sliding around? It’s amusing to slide, and there can be much merriment in it. It can be pure joy, especially in winter on skis, skates, or a sleigh. But these are pastimes we engage in intentionally, and are done purely for amusement.
Sometimes one’s sliding can have disastrous results, however. And this devotion is written to help against slipping or sliding in that way. The writer of the 121st Psalm above knew full well who was in charge of his steps. There is an extraordinary optimism given by God that, whatever happens, it will be all right. This does not mean there will be no winter frost and ice, no mountains to scale. It does not mean there will be no summer heat and heavy burden of work and suffering. But it does mean there is great comfort in a faith committed to God as we find blessing in each step He guides. This is what the psalmist is singing about.
This sense of God the Father’s guidance must have been close to Jesus’ thoughts as He traveled the countryside. It must have seemed for most people, unfamiliar with our Savior’s mission, that His steps were always heading in the wrong direction –away from an easy life, comfort, and home, and towards troubles, suffering, the cross, and death. But how those steps led to our only way out and the salvation to the world!
So, too, us, if our lives’ passages twist and turn in different and unknown directions we can hold fast in faith and echo the psalm-writer’s words that He who keeps us is ever alert and ready to help. There are a lot of surprises in life, but not for God. In everything, even a tragedy, He sees a deeper sense. God is always watching over us. The question is – do we care which path we are on?
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, keep us on the path that is safe and will lead us to the goals You have for us. Amen.
Biography of Author:
Pastor Ivar Jacobson serves three congregations and is chaplain at the Christian school in Riga.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 3-4 1 Timothy 3
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