“He drove His adversaries backward; he put on them an everlasting reproach. He also rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved.” (Psalm 78:66-68)

The Lord chooses whom He chooses. It is the Lord who calls us, for without His call, we wander in the desert of life. He knows those who are His and what needs to happen in order for His will to be accomplished. We think we know all we need to know and go about our business, but only the Lord knows where it will all lead. Heed His call that you may be chosen, for He wants none to perish.

Lord, I arrogantly walk the way I walk and do as I do without thinking that I do not know as You know. You do what You do and this world cries unfair. Unfair is that You died for us. Unfair is that Christ was murdered. It is not about fairness, but what You will accomplish in this creation of Yours. Help me to humbly submit to You knowing that You alone are the One who gives life.

Lord Jesus, I need what You alone are able to give. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go and then help me to walk humbly alongside You now and always. Lead me along Your paths of righteousness, for there are no others that avail, knowing that You have called me to walk with You and learn from You. Thank You for doing what You have for all who believe. Amen.

“His priests fell by the sword, and His widows could not weep. Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior overcome by wine.” (Psalm 78:64-65)

What does it take to rouse the Lord? He sees all, so He knows. There is a time when the people look to Him and then they realize He is there. Why do we test and try the Lord? Why do we not humbly come to Him that we may know that it is He who made the heavens and the earth? The Lord is Sovereign and He seeks those who will humbly come and know that He is the One who saves.

Lord, awaken me to see clearly that You have always been there and all things are in Your view. Awaken my heart to seek those things which are pleasing to You that I may abide in Your presence forever. Lead me away from the deadness of this world that I may know the goodness of Your Sovereignty. Lead me, O Lord, into Your ways forever that I may abide in You now and always.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us that You are the way of everlasting life. You have called for us to follow You and go where You lead. Grant me a new heart that would follow in the life You give, going the way You lead in the truth You have revealed. Lead me, O Lord, into the life for which You died that I may abide in You as You abide in me. Guide me now and always, Lord Jesus. Amen.

“He also delivered His people to the sword, and was filled with wrath at His inheritance. Fire devoured His young men, and His virgins had no wedding songs.” (Psalm 78:62-63).

The people rebel and the Lord withholds His hand of mercy and those who have wanted wickedness receive it. Why is it the Lord is blamed when He does not do what others want? It is not that He causes the wickedness, but that rebellious hearts are drawn toward the wickedness of this age. Come out from the way of the world to see that only in the Lord is there true peace and mercy.

Lord, there are times when I receive what was caused by others. There are times when I have been exempt from others’ wickedness. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that no matter what comes, I would see Your hand of grace and mercy upon my life. In all things, may I look humbly and simply to You as the source of all goodness and kindness knowing that these things are not in the world except by Your hand.

Lord Jesus, You are the incarnation of grace and mercy. Lift me up in Your grace that I would now and always live in the truth You have revealed. Help me see the truth of Your grace and live it fully in every moment of my days. Guide me to hold fast to the truth You have delivered once for all that in You alone is the hope of all ages. We need to be saved from ourselves, Jesus. Amen.

“For they provoked Him with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their graven images. When God heard, He was filled with wrath and greatly abhorred Israel; so that He abandoned the dwelling place at Shiloh, the tent which He had pitched among men, and gave up His strength to captivity and His glory into the hand of the adversary.” (Psalm 78:58-61)

People will do what they want to do. In spite of all that the Lord has said, they will continue in the rebellion of their ancestors. The way of the Lord is to come to Him and live in peace with Him. For those who ignore Him, He will hand them over to the many who maim, steal and destroy, for such are the fruits of rebellion. Come then to the Lord of all and leave behind the false idols.

Lord, why do I rebel so much? How is it I can in one moment speak of You and the love You have for all and in the next act as thought You are not there? You have shown in Your word the pattern that humans have lived time and time again. I am not exempt. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may learn from You how to be faithful at all times and in all situations.

Lord Jesus, amidst the idolatry of the ages, You have led those who humbly submitted and followed You. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth and teach me not to stray, whether or not adversity comes, teach me to look to You always that by Your grace I would forever hold fast to the truth You have come to reveal. Now and always, may Your Holy Spirit lead me in every moment. Amen.

“Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep His testimonies, but turned back and acted treacherously like their fathers; they turned aside like a treacherous bow.” (Psalm 78:56-57)

No matter what the Lord does, there are those who will turn their back upon the Lord and go the way they choose. When things do not turn out the way they would like, they rebel and blame the Lord for the disaster. It has been this way from the beginning. But what of You?  Will you go the way of those who have rebelled, or walk with the Lord in whose hands we all rest?

Lord, You know the state of my heart. You know that there is the desire to do what is pleasing in Your sight along with that rebellious nature that wants things the way I want them. Guide me, O Lord, to walk now and always in Your ways alone, for You created everything that exists. Grant me a new and clean heart that turns to You no matter the circumstances and trusts in Your provision or lack thereof.

Lord Jesus, You know the fickle nature of people in this world. You have created us to join in Your love but many go their own way wanting what they want. Help me, O Lord, to come into Your presence and simply walk humbly with You wherever You lead. Guide me according to the will of the father to live a humble life that simply seeks to obey all that You have commanded. Amen.

“So He brought them to His holy land, to this hill country which His right hand had gained. He also drove out the nations before them and apportioned them for an inheritance by measurement, and made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.” (Psalm 78:54-55)

The Lord has always provided in the way He promised. Yet, the Lord is ignored by those who simply want what they want and want it in the way they want it. Yet, He still provides. He is gracious and kind and gives in spite of the people rebelling against Him. See that all things are in the Lord’s hands and that He provides for the just and the unjust. All things will be as He determines.

Lord, when things do not go the way I want, I am upset and think You have abandoned me. I want it to go the way I want it to go and I often think of You as being under my direction. Clear my mind of such rebellious thoughts that I may live in accordance with Your will and humbly walk in Your ways knowing that You alone are able to accomplish what You determine and have determined.

Lord Jesus, You have come to free me from this bondage to the self. Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go that I may walk now and forever with You in the grace You have given from the cross. Lead me, O Lord, now and always in Your way of truth that I may walk humbly with You knowing that all things are now, as they always have been, in Your hands and that You will guide me. Amen.

And when [the Spirit] comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me;  about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer;  about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.  (John 16:8-11)

The Lutheran church should give daily thanks for Twitter.  Over the past five years, that steady, online stream of posturing, self-righteousness, and public shaming has done more than all of God’s preachers combined to expose our need for the Gospel.

The Gospel is simple: Jesus alone is righteous.  He returned to the Father and now rules with the Father in glory.  He is the judge, and thanks be to God, He has declared you righteous for the sake of His blood alone.

So what is Twitter but proof that the human heart would prefer a very different kind of judge and rule?  What do the dregs of human speech captured on that digital platform demonstrate but that we are far more ready than God Himself to condemn others and glorify ourselves?

The devil’s in pits; all the rest of you are forgiven for Jesus’ sake.  So says the Spirit, and so say I.  There’s no more wrong to prove, but only the Righteous One to follow.

LET US PRAY: I’m sorry, Father, for not loving my neighbor as You have loved me; and yet I glory in the blood of Your Son, shed for my sake and for the whole world.  By Your Holy Spirit, renew my mind, and thus also my speech, that whatever I speak may be spoken in love, as You are love; for Jesus’ sake.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“But He led forth His own people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; He led them safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea engulfed their enemies.” (Psalm 78:52-53)

The Lord watches over your going out and your coming in. He who knows all things, knows what is before you. He will not let your foot be dashed against a stone. Do not fear the tyrants of this age, but the One who loves with a pure love and offers to His people eternal reconciliation. Come then into the presence of the Lord and know that He who is good will lead you always.

Lord, I am often immature in how I see things and do not think about the reality of all people everywhere, each in their stage of rebellion. Guide me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You all the days of my life knowing that only You can lead me in safety. Help me see Your hand upon my life and the truth that You are always with me and before me guiding me in all of my ways.

Lord Jesus, You taught over and over again the truth of Your eternal presence and purpose. Help me now and always to stand firm in the truth of Your love that I would walk in Your ways and learn from You the way life is to be lived. Lead me in the grace You grant to be humble and faithful in all things as You prepare me to be whom You have always meant me to be. Amen.

“He sent upon them His burning anger, fury and indignation and trouble, a band of destroying angels. He leveled a path for His anger; He did not spare their soul from death, but gave over their life to the plague, and smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the first issue of their virility in the tents of Ham.” (Psalm 78:49-51)

Does the Lord owe to those who reject Him the life He gives as a gift? Many chafe, not at the power of God, but that God would actually do what He says He will do. To whom does God owe anything? What shall a man offer God in exchange for his life? The Lord created us to be in a loving relationship with Him. As many as come to Him on His terms discover true life and liberty.

Lord, I think in terms of what I know, but do not see the truth that You alone hold all power and authority. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go now and always knowing that only in You is there life, liberty and true hope. You are the Sovereign of the ages and in Your hands are all things. Lead me away from a rebellious heart and to the place where I love as You love.

Lord Jesus, love incarnate, You have come not to judge, for judgment is already upon the world, but that as many as would come through You might have liberty now and forever. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may now and always abide in the truth of Your love and live according to Your never-failing promises of grace and mercy. Prepare me to be whom You created me to be. Amen.

THE KING IS DEAD
Devotional for the Sunday of the Holy Trinity 2018
based upon Isaiah 6: 1-8

For those who are old enough, where were you on November 22, 1963, when you heard that President John F. Kennedy had been shot? Most people can tell you exactly where they were. The news sped around the world: “The President is dead.” It was shocking – unbelievable. John F. Kennedy – young, vibrant, dynamic – cut down by an assassin’s bullet. Our entire nation was plunged into grief. The following Sunday people flocked to church – and in the greatest numbers since the announcement of the end of World War II.

Twenty-seven hundred years ago another sad announcement was heard: “The King is dead.” Uzziah, king of Judah, had died. He had been crowned king at the age of sixteen and had reigned for fifty-two years. Despite his weaknesses, he was the greatest king since David. The prophet Isaiah was heartbroken. Uzziah was not only his king. He was also his friend. In grief and sorrow he wondered what to do. He made his way to the Temple – like the people after the death of President Kennedy – to find comfort and renewed faith. When in your life have you really needed to go to church to worship, to find comfort, and to have your faith strengthened and renewed?

Now no one else is mentioned as being in the Temple that day. But I have a feeling that the Temple area was full that day as thousands of people came in response to the news that the King was dead. After all, Uzziah had been king for fifty-two years. For many people, he had been king their entire lives. Many people knew no other king. And now the king is dead. When sorrow comes, when life crashes in, when our earthly source of security is gone, the best place to be is in the house of the Lord.

Isaiah went to the house of the Lord. And there he learned that even though King Uzziah had died, God had not died. God was still on His throne. Isaiah might have lost his good friend and earthly king. But that day he caught a fresh glimpse of the King of kings. That day he had an encounter with God that totally changed his life. Today you can have an encounter with God that can totally change your life.

In his encounter with God Isaiah saw four things. First, ISAIAH SAW THE LORD. And that is the greatest vision that anyone can have. To see the Lord. Isaiah writes, “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty.” Another translation says, “High and lifted up.” Isaiah saw God as the central object of all praise – surrounded by angels. It was the vision Isaiah needed because Uzziah had died.

How often in worship do you have a vision of the Lord sitting on His throne, high and lifted up? And if not very often, why not? Isaiah had a vision of the greatness and glory of God, and it changed his life. The same living Lord wants to change your life. Earthly kings will come and go. But the King of kings is King forever. He is just as powerful as He has ever been, and just as willing to reveal Himself to you. First, Isaiah saw the Lord.

Second, ISAIAH SAW HIMSELF. And he saw himself as he had never seen himself before. As he saw himself, he did not admire his image in the mirror. He did not think, “Wow! I must be the best person here, because God has revealed Himself to me.” Instead he cried out, “Woe is me! I am lost. I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips.”

And it’s true. The closer you get to God, the more clearly you see your own sin. The more you see the glory of God, the more you realize just how far you fall short of the glory of God. A weak sense of God leads to a weak sense of our own sin. While a renewed sense of God leads to a renewed sense of our own sin. Seeing the Lord high and lifted up, Isaiah saw himself in a whole new light.

Third, ISAIAH SAW GOD’S CLEANSING POWER. A live coal was brought by an angel from the altar of sacrifice and was touched to Isaiah’s lips. The altar was the place where the priests would kill the animals and then cover over the sins of the people with the blood of animals. For as God said, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.

The coal had been touched by two things – blood and fire. Blood speaks of the cleansing from sin – as blood can cleanse a wound. And fire speaks of purifying power. Blood removes the sin, while fire brings power for renewed living. The angel took a blood-soaked and fire-purifying coal from the altar of sacrifice and touched it to Isaiah’s lips. Isaiah experienced the sweet, clean feeling of forgiveness, peace, and power. There is nothing like it in the world.

And then fourth, ISAIAH SAW THE WORLD. Isaiah heard God ask, “Whom shall I send? Who will go? Who will be a messenger of hope to other people who are grieving over the death of the king? Who will bring the blood and the fire to other people who need forgiveness of sins and power for living?” Isaiah heard God ask, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah replied, “Here am I, Lord; send me.”

Isaiah did not say, “Here am I, but please send someone else.” Nor did he say, “Before I sign up I need to find out what all is involved, how long it will be for, and what is in it for me.” Rather he signed a blank cheque. He did not try to strike up a bargain with God. He did not attempt to negotiate a compromise. Rather when God called, Isaiah answered. When God commanded, Isaiah obeyed.

And who would respond like that? Only someone who has seen the vision. Only someone who has seen the Lord high and lifted up. And the same thing can happen for you today. King Jesus was dead, but now He is alive. He died for our sins, but He rose from the dead and is alive forevermore. And He calls us to see Him as He truly is – the holy God. He calls us to see ourselves as we truly are – sinful and in desperate need of Him. He calls us to see that He can cleanse us of all sin and give us power for renewed living. And He calls us to see that other people also need to know what He can do for them.

Today have you seen the Lord high and lifted up? Today have you been cleansed by His blood and have you received the fire of His power for living? Today are you hearing and heeding His call to go and tell others?

Dennis D. Nelson
President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE