Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
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
We each have a desire for things to make sense. This certainty of mind, however, isn't always possible. Life often gives us more gray areas than it does black and white. When it comes to matters of faith, we are to trust in God's Word. However, this is a constant struggle because of the continued presence of sin in our lives. We want to trust in God. We know we should rely on Him exclusively in all situations, but then we also want to know that if we have to - - if it really comes down to it - - we can handle the situation ourselves.
In other words, we like to hedge our bets. If it looks like God isn't going to give us the answer we seek, we are prepared to step in and take care of the matter for Him. Faith, however, isn't supposed to be provisional. It's not something we apply on one occasion, only to suspend on another.
Our relationship to God is based on faith. By faith we acknowledge Him as Creator of the heavens and the earth. By faith, we believe He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. By faith, we trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. We have this faith knowing that though we may fall short, God's power, mercy, and love will never fall short.
The condition of our faith and the way we exercise it very much concern God, according to the book of Hebrews. It says, "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Christ will "render to every man according to what he has done" (Revelation 22:12b). May our faith in Him increase so that we, too, may lead lives pleasing to Him.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Your love and power are beyond all human reason. You did for us what it makes no sense to do - - You died for each one of us and through the Holy Spirit You give us faith to believe in You and live for You. Grant such faith to us all. Amen.
Biography of Author:
For ten years, Melissa Salomón has worked for Lutheran Hour Ministries. Currently, she is director for LHM-Mexico (Cristo Para Todos Las Naciones). She holds an A.B. in political science from Los Angeles-based Occidental College and a doctor of law degree from Loyola Law School in that same city. Melissa is a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Chula Vista, California.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Kings 19-21 Galatians 5
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