"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'" Isaiah 41:10-13

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



In every step of our life we have companions who help us.

In childhood, parents shape and civilize us. At the school level, we have friends who serve as our companions, and teachers who provide us academic direction. In our youth, we often develop friends who become lifelong companions. In marriage, ideally, we find a spouse who completes us.

But we're still not done. In our homes, dogs and cats often serve as our friends and, during our journeys pleasant co-passengers join us as companions to help make the miles fly by. In truth, it is difficult to live a meaningful life without such companions.

Sadly, almost all of our earthly companions are transient. With the most rare of exceptions, none of them stay with us from our first 'til our last breath.

Companions come and go. That is a rule of life. And the exception to that rule ... is the Lord.

The Lord alone has the ability, and the desire, to be with us throughout the length of our lives, up to and past our last breath. Since the Lord's first promise to fallen humanity, God's promise to be with us and take care of us has been a great comfort. Believers have found they need help, help from a divine Companion, during the good times and especially during the bad times of sickness and danger and problems.

Without God's help life is made much harder and infinitely more dangerous.

In our country, India, according to the cultural traditions, it is hard for single women, widows, and children to live alone, without any companion. As important as a companion is to such people, a relationship with the Lord is more important and more protective to anyone who is given and enjoys it.


That's one of the reasons why Jesus, our Lord, stressed the need to rely on God and His companionship. Throughout the Word of God, the Holy Bible assures us that the loving God, our Father, gives us promises that He wishes to be with us throughout our lives.

He promises us that He will never forsake or leave us. He even assures His people that He will be with us to take us through the valley of the shadow of death. By giving us His only Son, Jesus, He proved His promises are true and reliable.

An aged grandfather, who is also half-blind, used to take his grandson for a morning walk every day. One day the boy walked a little ahead of his grandpa. The grandfather asked him, "Where are we now?"

The boy replied, "Don't know."

Again, the grandfather asked, "Where are we now?" He got the same answer.

Then grandpa asked the lad, "Are you lost?"

The boy replied, "How can I be lost while you are with me and I am with you?"

Although the Lord sees all and is hardly half-blind, that is the way things work with us in our relationship. We can never be lost as long as we are with the Lord.

God wants to remain with us. He calls us, comes to us through His Word and Sacraments. Realizing and remaining in this truth is the real blessing -- and is the real meaning of companionship. Let the Holy Spirit help us to live a life of companionship with God.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, hold my hands and lead me in this walk through life. Keep me as Your companion, always holding Your hands, and remaining in Your unfailing love. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Reverend D. Eben Titus. Reverend Titus received his degree from Serampore University. The good Reverend is married to Beril, and they have a son and daughter. Pastor has served 16 years at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and four years at Calvary Lutheran Church. Since 2001, he has been at Grace Lutheran Church Vallioor in the Nagercoil Synod. Pastor Titus has written numerous devotions and articles for Lutheran Hour Ministries' Christian Media Centre in India.

In this country of 1.2 billion people, Lutheran Hour Ministries-India is known as Christian Media Centre and began operations in 1951. Using Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) in six languages -- Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi Marathi, Gujarati and English, this ministry center in Chennai reaches out with the Gospel. It also utilizes the Internet to broadcast round-the-clock radio messages of love and hope. Beyond this, short dramas, devotional songs, stage plays, and dance convey the Gospel to audiences in remote villages and cities.

Check out the new book release by Rev. G. Ranjendiran, a retired Lutheran pastor, as well as the special events going on at LHM-India, by reading its blog. You can find it by clicking here.


To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhm.org/international.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 53-55    Romans 10

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