The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love. Zephaniah 3:17

NOTE: PASTOR KLAUS IS ON JURY DUTY THIS WEEK, SO THESE DEVOTIONS WERE WRITTEN BEFORE HIS TIME OF SERVICE. PLEASE EXCUSE THE FACT THAT THEY MAY NOT BE BASED ON CURRENT OR NEWSWORTHY EVENTS.

The following is a totally made-up story that some may find amusing. I do.

According to this totally made-up story, Sam was having a tough time of it. His business was failing; his wife was leaving him; he couldn't meet his mortgage payments.

As if that were not enough, on his way to work Sam was involved in an accident. The accident wasn't his fault, but that doesn't change the fact that Sam's car was totaled. As he sat on the curb waiting for the wrecker to tow his vehicle, Sam was informed that the other fellow -- the fellow who caused the accident -- had allowed his insurance to lapse.

That's when Sam looked up to heaven and asked, "Lord, why me?" In reply, a big voice boomed out of the sky saying: "Well, Sam, the truth is, I just don't like you very much."

Now the reason that story makes me smile is because it is so totally, absolutely, completely impossible. It could never happen. It couldn't happen because the Lord loves the sinners of this world.

I know that fact should be obvious, but the truth is there are times when most of us feel we are living the life of Sam. Minor difficulties and major problems seem to stalk us from the moment we get up until the time we go to bed to endure a sleepless night.

There are times when many of us feel God doesn't like us very much.

When that happens, we need to remember the Lord's love is constant. Because the Lord loved the proto-sinners, Adam and Eve, He promised to send His Son to be their Savior.

Because He loved the man who was going to betray Him, Jesus kept reaching out to Judas.
And the Lord loves each of us.

No matter what today's circumstances might seem to indicate, no matter how difficult things may be, you can be confident the Lord wishes to do what is right and best for you. The manger, the cross, and the empty tomb tell humanity that God wishes to forgive, to save, to help, to restore, and to provide hope.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant me the faith to believe it is the world's sinfulness, not Your disfavor, which causes the pains of life. Send Your Holy Spirit so my faith might confidently trust You and the faithfulness of Your love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League are conducting two women's ministry surveys, one for pastors and one for women. To take one of the surveys--click here!

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Hosea 5-8    Romans 15:1-13

To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"