Friday, December 8, 2017 Devotion

“That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and answer us!  God has spoken in His holiness: “I will exult, I will portion out Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth.  “Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter.”  (Psalm 60:5-7)

The Lord has spoken once for all.  In Him is the forgiveness, mercy and kindness to deliver.  Trust in the Lord and all His goodness.  We have been created to praise, thank and worship the Lord Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.  Everything belongs to the Lord.  We do well to walk in His ways, know the truth of the ages and rejoice in all that He is doing.  He is mighty and will deliver.

Lord, Your goodness comes anew each day, yet all around are those who seek destruction.  Guide me through the wilderness of this world to see in You the hope of glory and glimpses of what You are creating.  Lead me into Your salvation that I may walk as righteously as possible in this life, preparing for the life to come.  Lead me, O Lord, now and forever in Your goodness.

Savior, for that is the name You have been given Yeshua, Jesus.  You are the Savior who delivers as many as believe out of the captivity of this world and into the glorious presence of the Father.  Lead me through the hills and valleys of this world to simply walk with You all the days of my life.  Let me be a witness of Your presence to all around me that they too may see and believe.  Amen.

Thursday, December 7, 2017 Devotion

“You have made Your people experience hardship; You have given us wine to drink that makes us stagger.  You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”  (Psalm 60:3-4)

The Lord has a purpose in everything.  We think that we should be exempt from that which comes for all people, but the Lord uses the cauldron of this world to build the character of Christ in those who fear Him.  Rejoice in what the Lord is doing even in the midst of hardship.  The truth will one day become clear and all will see that the Lord is God and His ways are eternally good.

Lord, grant wisdom that I may see more clearly Your hand in all things.  Through You and the ways You have established, guide me in the paths of righteousness knowing that You are working all things together for good for those who love You.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may walk in Your ways and follow You through all this world brings.  May I be found in You always.

Lord Jesus, You know hardship, turmoil and trouble.  Lead me, O Lord, now and always in the way of truth.  Help me see with clear eyes the way You would have me go this day.  Guide me into the truth You have revealed and help me hold fast, rejoicing in all circumstances.  You are the Savior and You alone must lead all of us who believe in You through the troubles of this world.  Lead me, O Lord.  Amen.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Devotion

“O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; O, restore us.  You have made the land quake, You have split it open; heal its breaches, for it totters.”  (Psalm 60:1-2)

Woe to those who say there is no God.  The Lord knows the land that honors Him.  The Lord knows those who look to Him as the source of their being.  Turn to the Lord and do not remain broken, but healed and restored.  Come to the Lord and you will find rest.  Know that the Lord is good and that He binds up broken hearts and lifts up the lowly.  Turn to the Lord and live.

Lord, all around are those who jeer and mock You, yet You remain faithful to those who believe in You.  Guide me in the way of goodness that I would simply stand fast in the truth You have revealed for the ages.  Lead me in Your righteousness that I would not walk through the wide gate of those who reject You and mock You.

Lord Jesus, You came despite all those who mocked You and would not receive the grace and mercy You brought.  Lead me to be faithful in the midst of this troubled and mixed up world.  Help me always look to Your grace first and know that in You is life and hope.  Help me to see my way clearly through the faith You have given me that I would stand fast and be a witness of Your grace and mercy in the world.  Amen.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Devotion

“But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress.  O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.”  (Psalm 59:16-17)

What is the direction, the outcome of your life?  Is it to live the few years on this earth, or is there a higher calling?  Come into the Lord’s presence and sing to Him.  Let the One who created you be the center of Your being.  It was for this that you were made.  Come and rejoice, sing songs of praise and worship the Lord your God.  He is your strength and your stronghold.

Lord, I am confused by all the offerings around me, yet they really offer nothing but momentary distractions.  Guide me in the way of life as You created it to be lived that I may live according to Your purpose.  Help me see through the nonsense of this world and focus on the things that have always been true.  Lead me in the way of righteousness for Your name’s sake.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You have come to lead the way.  Help me now and always to walk in the way You have established.  Guide me according to the timeless principles You have given through Your Word.  Help me take Your hand and follow You alone through all that this world will force my way.  Help me see clearly the way I should go and then by Your Spirit guide me to walk that way.  Amen.

“They return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go around the city.  They wander about for food and growl if they are not satisfied.”  (Psalm 59:14-15)

Many live for the physical pleasures this life can give: wandering in the night and satisfying the lusts of the body like unthinking animals.  But you have been awakened to the truth of the Lord who lives forever.  Will you continue wandering like an animal or come into the presence of the One who created you?  This is the offer of salvation, that you would know the Lord who knows you.

Lord, I do spend my days wandering trying to figure things out while simply seeking to satisfy the longings of the physical realm.  Take my mind and awaken it to the reality of eternity that I would pursue what is good and right.  Lead me in the way I should go and then help me move in that direction.  Lift me up out of the pit and set my feet upon the path of righteousness.

Lord Jesus You have come to save as many as would be saved through Your grace.  Bring my mind, body and soul into the salvation You offer and help me walk in the ways You have established.  Keep me close to You now and always that I may walk in the salvation of the righteous.  Keep me from living like a mere animal and seeking the better portion.  Amen.

“On account of the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be caught in their pride, and on account of curses and lies which they utter.  Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more; that men may know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth.”  (Psalm 59:12-13)

The wicked will come to nothing though it be a generation or even many generations before their deeds are remembered no more.  Do not spend your energy on those who will perish, but keep your eye on the prize of eternity which the Lord offers to the faithful.  Know that He is mighty to save and will lead you in all of your ways in His path of righteousness.

Lord, help me see through the confusion of this age the goodness that You offer before me.  Help me now and always to see clearly the truth You have revealed once for all.  Guide me in the way of truth that I may walk now and always in Your ways.  Help me to see Your goodness and know that in You is the hope for all in this age of sin.  May I now and always be guided by Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, by Your grace alone is there hope and a future for all who are captives in this age of sin.  Guide me now and always to see the hope of glory You offer through forgiveness.  Lead me to see in You alone my guidance through everything that will come.  Help me now and always to live with You as my example, by Your grace able to meet all that will come this and every day.  Amen.

“My God in His lovingkindness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes.  Do not slay them, or my people will forget; scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.”  (Psalm 59:10-11)

The Lord meets us.  People pursue the Lord, but cannot on their terms.  He comes and meets us, for His name is salvation.  Do not pursue the way of the wicked, but come to the Lord who invites and desires that You would come to Him.  Let the Lord lead you in all of your ways and He will give you rest.  Be guided by His goodness and know that He knows you and loves you.

Lord, I am carried away and enticed by the sinful ways of this world to have vengeance. But vengeance is Yours alone. Guide me in the way You have established that I would now and forever be guided by Your goodness.  Help me in every time of trouble to see that You alone are Lord and only in You is there a future.  Lead me, O Lord, that I would be led by Your salvation knowing that only in You is there hope.

Lord Jesus, Your name means salvation, come and take my hand this day that I may be led by You wherever You take me.  Help me now and always to see in You the hope of glory and the way of forever.  Guide me to walk in Your ways and flee from the temptations of this world.  Help me in every time of difficulty to look to You first and follow in the way You lead now and always.  Amen.

“But You, O Lord, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.  Because of his strength I will watch for You, for God is my stronghold.”  (Psalm 59:8-9)

Look at the pale of history and what do you see?  You see the once supposed great nations in ruin.  Those who walk in the way of the wicked come to nothing.  The nations rise and fall. In their height they think no one can crush them, but they come to ruin.  Do not look to the nations, but to the One who created all things and know that in Him alone is hope and glory.  He alone is God.

O Lord, Your ways are so far above our ways that we cannot even imagine, yet You love each one whom You have made.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go that I may go that way.  Help me now and always to look to You for all things and walk in Your ways.  You are the stronghold of all who look to You.  Guide me, O Lord, now and always and keep me close to You.

Lord Jesus, the One who has come to lead the way for those who are called according to Your purpose, keep my eye upon You and the prize You offer in grace.  Let me not stray, nor wander in other places, but remain with You guiding me at all times.  Let my lips speak Your goodness.  May I now and always hold praise of You and the work You have done on my lips.  Amen.

“Come,” He replied, “and you will see.” (John 1:39)

Our Lord spoke these words to St. Andrew, whose feast day is today (Nov. 30).  Church tradition often calls Andrew “the first called,” because he is the first disciple to whom Christ says “come” in the Gospel of John.  

In this invitation, we see more than just a call to Andrew.  We also see the simple truth that Jesus has no desire to hide anything from His disciples, but to be perfectly open and even vulnerable to them—indeed, He puts His life in their hands: “Take, eat, this is my body, given for you.”   

How fitting, then, that St. Andrew’s feast day stands at the joint where one Church Year turns to another.  For what is the preaching of the Church but Jesus laying Himself bare?  And what is the Church Year but a year-long sermon series on Christ and His kingdom?  

“Come, and you will see.”  It’s God’s promise to every sinner who calls on the name of the Lord.  You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

LET US PRAY:  We thank you, Lord, for Andrew, whom You graciously called to share in Your life.   Pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your Church, that this new year of preaching will lay bare the glory of Your Gospel for all who hear it; for You live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“Arouse Yourself to help me, and see!  You, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations; do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity.  They return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go around the city.  Behold, they belch forth with their mouth; words are in their lips, for, they say, “Who hears?”  (Psalm 59:5-7)

Keep your eyes upon the Lord and His ways.  Walk in the counsel of the Lord and know that those who do wickedness will come to their own wicked end.  Do not cast your pearls before swine.  Come into the Lord’s presence and walk humbly before Your God.  Know that the Lord, who sees all, will keep you in His ways and will speak His Word to your ears.

Lord, all around are those who mock You and do not look to You for their sustenance.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go that I would walk in that way.  Help me now and always to seek You alone in all things knowing that You have the words of eternal life.  Let my lips speak Your goodness and my feet walk in Your ways.  You will bring recompense in due season to all who mock You.

Lord Jesus, You took upon Yourself all of the mockery of the nations.  Guide me in Your ways, O Lord, and keep me close to Your teaching.  Let me not hear the ways of the wicked, but instead listen and heed Your eternal way of truth.  May I now and always be in keeping with what You teach me, with Your Word on my lips, meditating on the good portion You have shared by grace.  Amen.