Military Devotion – Leading Under the Chief Shepherd – July 4, 2025





Based on 1 Peter 5:1-4

As Americans, July 4th marks a day of great celebration and remembrance. We recall the courage and sacrifice of those who declared independence in 1776 and the generations of military service members who have since defended the freedoms established in that declaration. It’s a time to fly flags, sing patriotic hymns, and reflect on the blessings of liberty. But for the Christian—particularly for us as confessional Lutherans—this day is also an opportunity to reflect on a greater freedom and a higher allegiance.

This coming Sunday you may hear from the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5:1-4. At first glance these words may not seem military themed, but they speak directly to the kind of leadership and service that we see in those who serve both in the armed forces and in the church.

The apostle Peter writes to the elders, the pastors—those called to shepherd God’s flock. Peter does not speak from a high and mighty position but as a fellow shepherd. He encourages them to lead as those under orders—not from men, but from the Chief Shepherd himself, Jesus Christ.

In the military, leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility. Officers and non-commissioned leaders are charged not simply with giving commands but with caring for those under them. A good commander knows his troops. He trains them, sacrifices for them, and even risks his life for them. The same holds true in the church. Those who are called to lead—pastors, elders, fathers, and all spiritual shepherds—lead not for personal gain or status but with a heart conformed to Christ’s example of suffering and service.

Peter insists that such leaders are not to lord their authority over others. There is no room in the church for prideful command or self-serving power. Instead, those who serve in leadership are to be examples to the flock. This too resonates with military life. The best leaders are those who never ask of their troops what they themselves are not willing to do. They lead from the front. They bear burdens, carry weight, and are the last to eat or sleep. They model duty, honor, and courage.

So too in the church. The Christian shepherd leads with humility. He does not dominate but disciples. He feeds with the Word of God. He defends against the false teachings that threaten the flock. He binds up the wounded and seeks the straying. And in all of this, he follows Christ—the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep.

On this day when we remember the sacrifices of our military and the blessings of our nation, we must not forget that we are citizens of two kingdoms, that of our nation and of heaven. Our true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Because nations rise and fall. Flags are raised and lowered. But the kingdom of God endures forever. And in that kingdom, our Chief Shepherd reigns victorious—crucified, risen, and ascended.

Those who serve faithfully in his name—whether in pulpits or pews, in homes or in foxholes or on ships—will receive an unfading crown of glory. This is not a medal pinned on a uniform but the eternal reward of being in the presence of Christ forever. It is not earned through valor in battle or perfect obedience but through the grace of God given in Christ Jesus, who has already won the victory.

This weekend let us remember both our military leaders and our spiritual shepherds. Let us pray for them, that they may be faithful, humble, and strong in the Lord. Let us also take up our own callings—to serve our neighbor, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, and to live as citizens of heaven even while we live in this nation.

And let us do all of this looking forward to the day when our Chief Shepherd returns and all those who have fought the good fight of faith will receive their eternal reward—not because of their greatness, but because of his.

Prayer:
Almighty God, on this day of national celebration, we give you thanks for the blessings of liberty and the sacrifices made to secure it. We thank you especially for the freedom that comes through your Son, Jesus Christ, and the faithful shepherds who lead us in his name. Strengthen all who serve in authority, whether in the church or the military, that they may lead with humility, wisdom, and love. Keep us faithful in our vocations, and fix our eyes always on the Chief Shepherd, in whose name we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Hope in Suffering – June 27, 2025





Based on Romans 5:1-5

A few weeks ago, I was admitted to the hospital and spent three nights there for an infection I had in my body. The medical staff is still not sure how it happened or what it was, but the doctors and nurses took good care of me, giving me lots of antibiotics to flush the infection out of my body.

I wanted to share this with you because as you are lying in the hospital for three nights, when they shove you in that MRI machine, and as you’re lying on your back immobile for two hours after a spinal tap, you have a lot of time to think.

I know there are a lot of you who have been in a similar situation. Some of you have been hospitalized because of injuries related to combat or training accidents—I am thinking of specific individuals who have gone through that ordeal. Some of you have spent time in the hospital, or you’ve cared for others who have been in the hospital. There’s a lot of time to think when you’re in the hospital . . . a lot of time to think about pain and suffering.

There’s only one thing that matters in that situation, and it is not your spouse, your children, your parents, or your friends. What matters most in times of suffering and pain is asking yourself this: What has God promised me in these moments? What happens, at least what happened for me, is that you really have nowhere else to go but to God’s promises. Some of those promises that I went back to during my time in the hospital were words from the apostle Paul in Romans chapter 5 that speak to suffering.

Paul writes: ā€œTherefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christā€ (Romans 5:1). This is what matters most in those moments of suffering—that God has justified you. He has declared you ā€œnot guilty.ā€ If you ever doubt that, go to the cross and see Jesus, accused as the guilty one for us so God can declare you and me to be justified, not guilty, innocent of all guilt—through faith in Christ.

The result of that is we have ā€œpeace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.ā€ This peace is not some kind of manufactured peace, like a show of force in Eastern Europe against our near-peer competitors. This is peace that is manufactured by Jesus, knowing that there is peace between us and God; peace between sinners and a holy, righteous God; and this peace is won by Jesus. We know there is forgiveness for us, and so we have the peace of knowing that we are forgiven. There is peace of knowing we are innocent.

There are more results for us because we are justified. Paul says, ā€œ. . . through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now standā€ (Romans 5:2a). There is access to God through our prayers as we lie in the hospital. God hears our prayers. God has access to us through his words of promise. And I really like this consequence of our declaration of innocence: ā€œwe have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.ā€ This means that no matter what is going on in your life, or in the life of a friend or loved one, you stand in God’s grace, his undeserved love for you. That’s massive—to know that whatever it is you are going through, what it is you are suffering, you stand in God’s grace.

And here’s another result of our declaration of innocence: ā€œAnd we boast in the hope of the glory of Godā€ (Romans 5:2b). The thing that we can boast about while in our suffering and weakness is the hope of the glory of God. God will reveal his glory in me and through me, through weakness and through suffering. And not just now, here on earth, but Jesus says, ā€œI am going to share my glory with you in heaven.ā€

Paul then continues to the fact that we are justified, that we have peace with God, that we have access to God, that we stand in God’s grace, that we share in God’s glory. He says this: ā€œNot only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to usā€ (Romans 5:3-5).

The result of all of this—justification, peace, access to God, standing in his grace, the hope of the glory of God—puts suffering into perspective. God has a purpose for it. He says that your suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.

Perseverance is long-suffering. You have a ten-mile ruck march ahead of you, and you have anywhere between 30 to 100 pounds on your back. You will get through it. You know you will because you’ve been there before. This produces the kind of character that says, Yes, I will get through this because I’ve done this before.

When you encounter suffering again, you think: I’ve been down this road before. God has been my comfort. He has been my strength. God has been my hope. He has reminded me again and again that I am innocent in his sight. I have his grace. I have all of these things. And so I am going to get through this.

All of this produces hope. This hope is a sure confidence that God is mine and I am his. His love has been poured into my heart through his Holy Spirit. And I know I have his Holy Spirit and so do you, because he has put his name on you in the waters of your baptism. All these things are true.

Whatever it is you are suffering, go back to the promises God has made to you. And if you are not going through suffering now, my friends, go back to these promises now. Keep going back to these promises, so that when you do suffer—and you will—these are the truths the Holy Spirit will remind you of. This is all that matters in that moment. You have hope in your suffering.

Prayer:
Almighty God and Father, dwelling in majesty and mystery, filling and renewing all creation by your eternal Spirit, and manifesting your saving grace through our Lord Jesus Christ, in mercy cleanse our hearts and lips so that, free from doubt and fear, we may ever worship you, the one true, immortal God, with your Son and the Holy Spirit, living and reigning, now and forever.

This month as our nation’s military raises awareness for post-traumatic stress, we come before your throne and ask you, because you are a compassionate and gracious God, to move those who are suffering silently to reach out and ask for help. Move us and others to open our ears to listen, and then to open our mouths to speak your message of hope through Jesus, who lives and reigns over all things, who comes to redeem and restore all things, yes, even those hearts and minds hijacked by trauma. In your name we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Under the Banner of Blessing – June 13, 2025





Based on Numbers 6:24-26

For 250 years generations of soldiers have pledged to defend the Constitution and the people of this nation, sacrificing their safety and lives to preserve peace and liberty. For 250 years men and women have marched under the banner of the United States Army, an institution that was created for defense, order, and national unity during a time of profound uncertainty and looming war. As we reflect on the 250th birthday of the United States Army, we give the Almighty God thanks for their service.

But more than that, we reflect on where true peace and blessing ultimately come from—not the sword of man, but the gracious hand of God.

In Numbers 6, the Lord himself unfurled a banner under which people have marched for 3,500 years—the banner of blessing. In this chapter, the Lord commanded his priests to speak this blessing over the people of Israel: ā€œThe LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peaceā€ (Numbers 6:24-26).

This blessing is not just a prayer or wish. The God of free and faithful grace places his name on his people, on you—a divine act of protection, grace, and peace. ā€œSo they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless themā€ (Numbers 6:27). God’s name carries his presence. God’s name carries all that he has done and promises to do in Christ. God’s name on you means you belong to him.

This banner of blessing is not a generic divine favor. It’s deeply personal and covenantal. The Triune God promises to do this for you: to bless and keep, to shine and be gracious, to turn his face toward you, and to give you peace.

The Lord’s face shines upon you means that he looks on you with favor. When he looks at you, he does not see your sins, your faults and failures. He sees the perfect life of Christ and his innocent death on the cross, for you. The warmest sunlight of salvation shines on your face. Because of that truth, you have peace.

The US Army may help secure national peace, but the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This peace comes not through battle, but through the blood of the Lamb, who reconciled us to God.

Because the Lord’s face shines on you, he will keep you. No matter where you go or what you do, no matter what sorrows you suffer or joys you experience, he will protect you, in life and in death. Because the Lord’s face shines on you, he will be gracious to you. You have a God who will show compassion for you when you are sad, when you struggle with temptation, when you feel weak in your faith. These are the blessings we march under because God puts his name on us.

At the close of the Divine Service, after receiving Christ’s Word and his Holy Supper, we depart under the banner of God’s name. It’s not a banner stitched with stars and stripes, but with the cross and the name of the Triune God. Just as a soldier’s uniform bears the emblem of his or her nation, we bear the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, given to us in our baptism, and given to us in this blessing.

As we remember the birthday of the US Army today, we give thanks for those called to defend and to protect in this earthly kingdom. But far greater is the eternal protection offered and given by our Lord, who serves us with eternal blessings in his eternal kingdom. March toward that eternal kingdom under the banner of his blessing.

Prayer:
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank you for your blessing spoken over us Sunday after Sunday through the mouths of your servants. We thank you for placing your name on us in Holy Baptism and for blessing us every day. Preserve us from every evil, guard us in every trial, and keep us in the peace that is ours in Christ Jesus.

Today we give thanks for those who serve in the United States Army, past and present, and ask you to protect those in harm’s way. Protect them, guide them, and draw all hearts to trust not in princes or powers, but in you alone.

Keep us in that peace, and let your name always be upon us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Keep Calm and Carry On – June 6, 2025





Based on John 14:23-27; Acts 2:1-21

ā€œWhen will this happen?ā€ ā€œHow will it happen?ā€ ā€œWhere will it happen?ā€

These are the questions asked by war fighters of the Allied Forces in the months and weeks and days leading up to that day we call D-Day: The Day of Days. This is the day of the largest seaborne invasion in history, the day when more than 156,000 troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, and parachuted from the skies.

The answers to ā€œwhenā€ and ā€œhowā€ and ā€œwhereā€ were held by men like Churchill, Walter ā€œBeetleā€ Smith, Montgomery, and Eisenhower. But the answer also depended upon the weather. The invasion could not take place until the time and weather were just right. It was this invasion that turned the war effort against the Third Reich into victory over the enemy.

ā€œWhen will this happen?ā€ ā€œHow will it happen?ā€ ā€œWhere will it happen?ā€ These were questions that may have circulated in the hearts and minds of Jesus’ friends. Just before he ascended into heaven, the commander-in-chief of the heavenly armies commissioned his disciples to go and invade the territories of the prince of this world, not with sword or spear, but with the sword of the Holy Spirit, through preaching and teaching and by baptizing. With these weapons they would conquer the hearts and minds of souls held captive by the enemy. They knew the ā€œwhereā€ā€”Jerusalem. But they didn’t know the ā€œhowā€ or the ā€œwhen.ā€

Jesus had said to them, ā€œIt is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earthā€ (Acts 1:7,8).

Just ten days later it was D-Day for the disciples—the Day of Days, the day we call Pentecost. On this day Jesus unleashed his Holy Spirit and empowered his friends to proclaim and baptize, to teach and forgive. That day changed the world forever.

And I don’t use that well-worn phrase lightly. Pentecost changed the world forever because Jesus’ commission extends to folks today, people like you and me, to go forth into battle against the forces of this dark world. We are armed with the Holy Spirit to change hearts and minds and lives by sharing with them the good news that Jesus has conquered death and grave by his resurrection from the dead.

If you’re like me, there are people you know whose lives we might describe as a ā€œhot mess.ā€ They have no direction and no firm path for the future, and they continue to make poor choices—not just poor choices in their civic life, but in their spiritual life.

On the other hand, you have people in your life, like I do, whose lives are great. They are in good health, successful in their vocations, and appear not to have a need or care in the world. Except they are missing Jesus and his promises. They are missing out on eternal blessings.

If you’re like me, you’ve established and maintained relationships with these people. You’ve even extended a gentle and loving invitation to ā€œcome and see the great things Jesus has done,ā€ but with little to no positive response. And you wonder, ā€œwhenā€ and ā€œhowā€ and ā€œwhereā€ will the Holy Spirit unleash his power through me as I speak his words?

My friends, keep calm and carry on. This well-worn phrase that gained popularity some years ago was the content of a series of posters designed by the British Ministry of Information to boost morale during World War II. I believe it has bearing today.

Keep calm and carry on. Keep doing what Jesus has called you to do. Listen to his voice as you open your Bible in your homes and barracks and on your ships and boats. Listen to his voice as you attend Bible study and church with others. Listen and wait. Keep calm and carry on. Open your eyes and ears to friends and coworkers and family members, and then open your mouth to speak in love. Direct their eyes and hearts to the one who has unleashed his power on the devil, on their sin and guilt, and upon death itself. Let the Holy Spirit embark on the largest invasion in history, through you.

Leave the ā€œwhenā€ and ā€œhowā€ and ā€œwhereā€ up to your commander-in-chief, the Lord Jesus. He knows best when and how and where to change hearts. Keep calm and carry on.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, God and Lord, come to us this joyful day of Pentecost with your sevenfold gift of grace. Rekindle in our hearts the holy fire of your love, that in a true and living faith we may tell abroad the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merciful Father, on this solemn anniversary of D-Day, we give you thanks for the courage and sacrifice of those who stormed the shores of Normandy in defense of liberty and justice. Grant rest to those who gave their lives and comfort to all who mourn. Preserve us from the evils of tyranny and war, and lead all nations to seek peace. Keep us mindful that true victory is found not in the strength of our military but in Christ crucified. We pray this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – The Diversity and Unity of God’s Kingdom – May 30, 2025





Based on Revelation 7:9; 22:14

I’m currently listening to an audiobook entitled Blood in the Argonne: The ā€œLost Battalionā€ of World War I. It is the story of the 77th Division of the American Expeditionary Forces in France. The author, Alan Gaff, brings us alongside the men of this lost battalion, which was never lost and was not actually a battalion. What I found fascinating about this story was the diversity of this division: blue collar men from every ethnic background in New York City. Not all of these ā€œLiberty Boysā€ spoke English or understood English, which makes it a marvel that these men were able to work together to form this division and then fight in combat. Communication in the context of war is a life and death necessity.

Another thing that struck me was when the author described the shock of the men of this division when they marched through France and saw men dressed in uniforms from a multitude of other countries—men from nations they had heard about but never dreamed they would meet much less fight alongside.

I saw in this picture of the diversity of the WWI war machine what the apostle John saw in his vision of heaven. In chapter 7 he saw ā€œa great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their handsā€ (verse 9). And then in chapter 22 he saw that picture again and wrote: ā€œBlessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the cityā€ (verse 14).

What the author of this book shares about the fighting forces in WWI and what the apostle John saw in heaven is this wonderful thing called diversity. God created one man and one woman, and from them came the nations of the world. One human race but with such variety and color and colorful cultures—all gifts from God to celebrate. This diversity of the human race is unified, because for those in heaven, they are wearing the same uniform: white robes. And they are waving palm branches, a picture of victory. What unifies the diversity of the human race is the fact that they are all standing before the Lamb—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. All nations, and that includes you and me.

But I see a contrast here too. The book Blood in the Argonne describes in horrid detail just that: the blood and guts, the nightmare and dirtiness of trench warfare. It is awful. It is sickening. It’s a picture of our lives here on earth, a world pounded and splintered by the effects of sin. It’s a picture of lives shattered by trauma, abuse, loneliness, loss, and moral injury—it’s a messy and dirty world.

But the apostle John sees the redemption of this world and our own lives when he hears Jesus say, ā€œBlessed are those who wash their robes.ā€ The paradox is that these robes, once filthy and dirty and stained from sin, are washed in the blood of the Lamb. The paradox is that from suffering and trauma and abuse and the death of the Lamb come peace and forgiveness and cleansing and a washing and life for you.

These white robes are Christ’s righteous living. These robes are Christ’s perfect blood, his innocent suffering and death, and his glorious resurrection, which he drapes over the shoulders of people from every nation, tribe, people, and language. He unifies them under a single banner: the palm branch, the victory over sin and death and grave, and under one commander-in-chief, the Lord Jesus.

The apostle John sees diversity and unity in Jesus’ kingdom, and that’s a good thing! Because he sees you in that vision of heaven. He sees me in that throng of tens of thousands. He sees others . . . people you know and work with and love, people you haven’t met yet, people who don’t look like you or sound like you, people with whom you get to share this good news: that God’s kingdom is for them, no matter their background. Their robes are washed, which means they get to walk through the gates of the city, the new Jerusalem, heaven itself, and eat from the tree of life and live forever!

We’re in the final Sunday of the season of Easter. What better time to bring someone who isn’t like you to hear the message that this diverse and unified kingdom is just for them, just as much as it is for you.

Prayer:
Almighty God, your Son our Savior was taken up in glory and intercedes for us at your right hand. Through your living and abiding Word, give us hearts to know him and faith to follow where he has gone.

As our nation’s military sets up June as PTSD awareness month, help us to open our eyes and ears to listen to those who may be suffering in silence. Move us to sit with them in their darkness, and to listen and just be present. Open their hearts to be willing to receive help from professional counselors and to be receptive to the gospel message of hope through faith in Jesus Christ, who himself suffered trauma and endured and rose from the dead to redeem all things—yes, even minds and hearts hijacked by trauma. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – ā€œUntil we dismount at Fiddler’s Green . . .ā€ – May 23, 2025





Based on Revelation 7:15-17; John 16:20-24

If you are able, save them a place inside you,
and save one backward glance when you are leaving,
for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them,
though you may, or may not have always.
Take what they have left, and what they have
taught you with their dying, and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide, and feel safe,
to call the war insane, take one moment,
to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

(Written by MAJ Michael Davis O’Donnell, 01 January 1970, Dak To, Vietnam)

This is a poem one of my friends posted on social media with the picture of a headstone of one of his battle buddies killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Then he posted, ā€œUntil we dismount at Fiddler’s Green . . .ā€

I had to look it up because I wasn’t sure of the reference. Fiddler’s Green is a legendary afterlife for sailors but also for soldiers, particularly cavalrymen, who have used this name for the place you go after death. Fiddler’s Green is a gathering place for rugged professionals, a place of perpetual joy, where the fiddle plays incessantly, where dancers never tire. It’s a place where the weather is always fair and there is a constant supply of friends, family, food, and drink. A place of rest and reward for those who have served honorably.

It sounds a lot like a place the apostle John saw in his revelation of heaven: ā€œThey are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ā€˜Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ā€˜he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ā€˜And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’ ā€ (Revelation 7:15-17).

What John describes is a very real place with real people whose souls have been reunited with their resurrected bodies. They are with their Shepherd, Jesus, who, as the Lamb, laid down his life to redeem all from their sin and guilt, who rose from the dead to die no more, and whose resurrection gives us the sure hope of a resurrection from the dead. He will bring us to a place of perpetual joy, of friends and family members, of an abundance of food and drink, and, yes, there will be music and dancing.
Until then, the poem from MAJ O’Donnell and Scripture itself gives us permission to be sad, to cry, and to grieve. But let Christ’s resurrection give us proper perspective when we stand before graves lined with American flags this weekend.

Listen to what Jesus said to his disciples as he prepared them for his own death: ā€œVery truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be completeā€ (John 16:20-24).

Ask Jesus, the risen and living Lord, to give you proper perspective as you observe Memorial Day. Ask that your sorrow be turned to joy. Ask that your joy may be complete. Find that joy in the good news that Jesus is raised from the dead. Find that joy in the good news that he will raise your loved ones and friends and battle buddies who died in the Lord, never to die again, and we with them.

Until we dismount at Fiddler’s Green . . . until we walk with Jesus in heaven, my dear friends, find your joy in Christ’s resurrection from the dead this Memorial Day.

Prayer:
Almighty Father, strong to save, ruler of nations, we bring our thanks to you this Memorial Day weekend for all the blessings you have given our nation, the United States of America. Help us to know and to acknowledge that freedom, prosperity, and other blessings come from you, and make us thankful.

As memories go back to those who have died to preserve our liberties, make us grateful and humble that others would stand up, raise their right hand for us, serve, and die. Turn our sorrow into joy. Turn the hearts of those who grieve by the power of your resurrection. Use us to share that good news with those who are sad, so they may find their joy in you.

Make us diligent in our prayers for our country and her leaders. Guide them with your wisdom and counsel. Keep us as a nation at peace so that we may carry out our vocations in peace and safety. In your Son’s name, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – He Knows You – May 9, 2025





Based on John 10:27-30

Do you remember that drill instructor? You know the one. Even as I talk about him or her, there’s a strong emotion rolling inside of you. You might even say you hated him or her at the time. But now, with a smile on your face, you can say, ā€œBut we respected him. And I needed it at the time.ā€

Maybe it was that platoon leader, commander, first sergeant, captain, or even a general that you labored for. You remember that individual because they knew you by name. Then you moved on, perhaps up the ranks in promotion, or they changed command or eventually retired. But you know that if you called them up on the phone today, they would know you and call you by name.

That means something, doesn’t it, when someone knows you by name? They have a vested interest in you. You know them because they gave you something. What did they give you? Maybe they were an encourager, a mentor, a model, or an example for your vocation—not just as a warrior but for your marriage, your parenting, or as a single person, to remain faithful, to be a better friend.

In the past 20 years in my time spent with you, the military community, I’ve seen this. You’ve spoken about it and how much certain individuals mean to you. If you don’t have this or haven’t experienced it, that’s okay. Listen to what Jesus says to you today in John 10:27-30: ā€œMy sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.ā€

That’s the voice of someone who is more than just a mentor, more than just an encourager, more than just a model or example. This is the voice of a shepherd speaking to his sheep. This is the voice of the Good Shepherd—your Good Shepherd.

For those times when it feels like no one really knows you or understands you, he does. He knows you by name. He put his name on you in your baptism. Your name is written in his book of life—he says that about you! He says that he wrote your name on the palms of his hands so that he always has your name before his eyes. He laid down his life for you only to take it up again, just for you. Yes, he knows you.

For those times when it feels like you’re slipping away from relationships with others for whatever reason . . . or that you’re slipping away from your Shepherd because you haven’t been faithful in listening to his voice . . . or your Bible is a little dusty . . . or the church doors haven’t seen your shadow cross them in a while . . . or your Shepherd hasn’t heard your voice in prayer in a hot minute, he promises, ā€œI still know you. My Father has given you to me. I am not going to let anyone or anything snatch you out of my hand. My Father’s firm grip of grace will not let you go.ā€

He knows you. Listen to his voice so that you are constantly reminded of that comforting truth. He is your Good Shepherd. You are his sheep. He cares for you. He watches over you. He leads you to green pastures and quiet waters and there feeds your hungry soul and thirsting heart with his words of promise. He leads you through those dark valleys of life.

Listen to that voice of promise so that you know him. Go about your day, knowing that he knows you. Go to sleep tonight with this assurance: he knows you.

Prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of your lifegiving Word that we may abide in your Father’s house forevermore.

Heavenly Father, you are the source of life and wisdom and all good things. As we celebrate Military Spouses Day, we ask that you bless all military spouses with faithfulness, patience, and an unswerving trust in your promises to do what Jesus prayed for them.

As we look ahead to Mother’s Day, look with favor on all mothers who have given life to their children and who nurtured them with loving concern and faithful instruction. May their children honor them and call them blessed. When they become weary, sustain them with physical and spiritual rest. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Resurrection Power – May 2, 2025





Based on John 21:1-14

If you have lived in or around a military installation, you know the power of our military war machine. During my last 20 years as a pastor, I’ve lived near three military installations: Fort Knox, Ky.; an Air Reserve base in Atlanta; and here in San Diego. Miramar is right outside my window. The power of an Abrams M1A2 120mm round that shook our house. The power of a C-130 roaring overhead. I’ve sat behind a .50 machine gun mounted to the top of a Humvee at the range, and the power of that weapon pulsed through my body. I have a friend here in San Diego who texted me, ā€œI almost drove off the road today watching the V22s flying overhead!ā€ The power of our nation’s military is awesome.

When Jesus lived on earth as the God-man, he flexed his divinity from time to time. He healed those with incurable diseases. He provided food for 5,000 men, besides the women and children, with a few fish and loaves of bread. He cast demons out of those imprisoned by Satan. He raised the dead. But the most powerful display of his power was his own rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. No one has done that . . . raised their own body from the grave.

After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus appeared to his disciples to prove that his resurrection power was to benefit them. Some time after Easter Sunday, the disciples had gone fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They didn’t catch a thing all night. As the sun was peaking over the eastern hills, they started for shore and a man on the beach called out across the water, ā€œDid you catch anything?ā€

ā€œNo, sir, not a single fish.ā€

ā€œCast your nets on the other side of the boat.ā€

Immediately the nets were so full of fish they threatened to sink the boats and threatened to break the nets, but they didn’t. John records that the nets were full of 153 large fish. I can’t help but imagine the disciples looking at each other and thinking, Hey, we’ve been here before. About three and a half years prior, Jesus performed a similar miracle. And now, here they were, sitting on the beach with their resurrected Lord Jesus, eating fish. The living Jesus opened their eyes to the power of his resurrection.

That same power is working for you and for your benefit. And I know you don’t always see it, and you don’t always feel it. I don’t either. Especially when finances are tight, and the future of our country is in question. Yet Jesus promises to use his power to provide daily bread for you.

When you feel lonely during deployment, he promises, ā€œI am with you. I will provide others to be with you.ā€

When you are afraid, he promises, ā€œI am your strength, your peace.ā€ When others share these same feelings with you and you wonder what to say to them, you know they need Jesus. He is your confidence. Just say the words, his words, and watch the power of his words at work in your heart and in the hearts of others. You will say, ā€œThat was awesome!ā€ That’s the power of the resurrected and living Lord Jesus in your life right now.

What I want you to do is this: Allow the power of our nation’s military to serve as a reminder of this truth. Every time you feel the power of the .50 on the range, the roar of the Blue Angels, an aircraft as it is jettisoned off the carrier, the artillery round or patriot missile going downrange, or the Abrams tank or Bradley or the V22s flying overhead, I want you to think of him who has all power, all authority, and who uses it for your good.

Then go to his Word and let the power of his words work on your heart and in the hearts of those you share it with. That resurrection power is for you right now.

Prayer:
O God, by the humiliation of your Son, you lifted up this fallen world from the despair of death. By his resurrection to life, grant your people gladness of heart and the hope of eternal joys.

On May 1 our nation paused to recognize Silver Star Banner Day. We thank you for those members of our military who have been awarded the Silver Star, for those who showed distinguished valor in combat. This day we also recognized the sacrifices of the ill, the wounded, and the dying service personnel and their family members.

Lord, thank you for those who have sacrificed so much for us and for our nation. For both those living and those who grieve the dead, grant them strength, patience, and reliance on you and your power for them. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




You Have Peace – April 25, 2025





Based on John 20:19-21

One of my well-loved high school teachers was called home to heaven recently. As I read his obituary, I was reminded that he had served honorably in our nation’s Air Force. He served as a crew member on the B-36, a mammoth aircraft capable of 40-hour flights, carrying a payload of 87,000 pounds of ordnance, and cruising at altitudes beyond the reach of most anti-aircraft guns.

Just the fact that the US Air Force had this aircraft was a warning to other near-peer competitors. The B-36, ironically known as the ā€œPeacemaker,ā€ would force peace through the dropping of bombs, to force the enemy to say, ā€œWe cannot endure this loss anymore! Let there be peace between us.ā€

Although the B-36 was rendered obsolete in 1959, the US Air Force, alongside the other branches of our US military, continues to produce aircraft capable of flying farther and higher and carrying ordnance to any country in the world where there is conflict. And we see conflict today. Some of you are in the middle of that conflict.

We also see conflict not just between nations but between friends, spouses, parents and children, siblings, and co-workers. There is even conflict within our own hearts and minds over the things we have done or left undone.

I started reading a book called Care for the Sorrowing Soul. The author addresses the often-overlooked moral injury suffered by those who have experienced combat. Moral injury occurs when combat reflexes go into automatic mode. The individual postpones their moral processing in that moment and just acts as they carry out the mission. Later, however, the individual’s conscience and heart and moral code recognize that perhaps what they did, what they saw and experienced, maybe even what they failed to do, violated their conscience, their heart, and their moral code. Soul sorrow. Conflict within. No peace.

Is that you? You’re not alone.

Jesus’ closest friends suffered this internal conflict and struggled to find peace. They weren’t engaged in physical combat in war. They struggled through spiritual warfare with the devil and their self-preserving, sinful selves. They abandoned, betrayed, and denied their Lord and Savior, someone they loved dearly! The guilt bore down on their hearts. They were terrified of what they were capable of.

And then Jesus appeared to his friends in the flesh. After they had witnessed the traumatic event of the torture, the crucifixion, the agonizing and painful death, and the finality of burial, now, on Sunday evening, Jesus stood before them alive! What would he say to them? His first words to them (and I picture them accompanied by a warm smile) were, ā€œPeace be with you!ā€ (John 20:19).

Peace—not a hopeful thought from a well-wisher, not a feeling, not peace won by giving them something to do to atone for their sins, not peace earned through acts of penance. This peace had nothing to do with them. This same peace from Jesus has nothing to do with you or anything you must do. Simply open your ears to hear those words for yourself: ā€œPeace be with you!ā€

Jesus spoke peace because that was reality for his disciples. Whether they felt it or not, whether it would take days, weeks, or months for it to sink in—the reality was that they were at peace because God was at peace with them. Whatever they had done—the abandonment, the denial, the hiding, the fear—it was all forgiven, all pardoned, all washed clean by Jesus’ blood. It was all buried in his tomb, because he went to the cross for them.

Yes, there was peace between God and them. They could now have peace with each other for whatever accusatory thoughts they had against each other. They could now have peace with themselves because they could say, ā€œGod is at peace with me. I will be at peace with myself and others.ā€

So it is true for you and me. Whatever it is you have done or failed to do—in combat, in training, in our homes, in our communities, in our churches—you are at peace. Jesus went to the cross for you, became the guilty one for you, and rose from the dead to prove that your guilt and failures and awful things you have done lie dead and buried in the tomb.

So be at peace with each other and be at peace with yourself, for God is at peace with you in Christ Jesus, your crucified and living Savior.

Prayer:
O risen Lord, you came to your disciples and took away their fears with your word of peace. Come to us also by Word and sacrament—in our baptisms and in your Lord’s Supper—and banish our fears with the comforting assurance of your abiding presence and peace.

I ask that you comfort those who suffer and struggle with moral injury. Calm and still their hearts with the good news that you took their guilt on your soul and in your heart, so they might be free of guilt and free to live in the joy of forgiveness. In your name I pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Remember Me – April 18, 2025





Based on Isaiah 49:16; Luke 23:42

I can usually pick you out or figure out who you are without even seeing you in uniform or wearing a baseball cap that says ā€œVeteranā€ on it. Because you wear it. You wear it not in your emotions, but you literally wear it on your body—that black aluminum bracelet around your wrist. It tells me that you are someone who has served or is serving in our nation’s military, or you are a first responder. That memorial band around your wrist—engraved with names, ranks, and dates—is your way of honoring those who have fallen in the line of duty. It’s a way for you to remember their sacrifice so that you don’t forget.

There are some who, after a loved one or friend dies, will say things like, ā€œThey will live on in our memories.ā€ But what happens when our memories fade and we forget? Do those people still live on? What happens when we die, and generations pass? Does this mean that this individual no longer lives on because most have forgotten them?

There is someone in history who, as he was dying, asked another individual to remember him. That’s a lot to put on someone as you are gasping for your final breath, considering that the one to whom he directed his request was also breathing his final breath! But this was no ordinary man he was asking. This was the King of heaven and earth, the God from eternity. He was dying a sinner’s death, dying to make death a thing of the past, dying to make life the new reality for those like that man who made the request to be remembered.

It is likely that most would remember that man as the one who brought chaos into their lives with his criminal activities. He was a man who died a broken, bloody, shameful mess, buried in an unmarked grave for criminals. Not many (if anyone!) would wear any kind of memorial bracelet to remember him.

But one person would remember him. That one person would grant his request: ā€œJesus, remember me when you come into your kingdomā€ (Luke 23:42). In his answer Jesus was saying to the dying man, ā€œYes, I will remember you! Because today you and I will die. Our bodies will die and the angels will escort our souls to heaven, and we will be together in paradise! I’ll have to leave you in the care of my Father in heaven while I redeposit my soul back into body and bring it back to life in three days. But I’ll be back with you in paradise in about 40 days after I ascend into heaven. Yes, I will remember you, and so will everyone who hears your story, because it is their story.ā€

Good Friday and Easter Sunday are the most important days on the Christian church year calendar. They assure us of this: God himself will not forget us but will remember us. After all, he gave us life. He called us by name in the waters of our baptism. He called us to a life in heaven. As he said through the words of Isaiah the prophet, ā€œSee, I have engraved you on the palms of my handsā€ (Isaiah 49:16)!

He remembers those souls whose names you have etched on your wrist. He won’t forget them. He remembers those whose remains rest in an urn or a box. He won’t forget them. They do not live on in our memories, because our memories fade and we die. But for those who die in Jesus, they live on because they live in Christ and in his death and resurrection.

And so, when you die and when I die, eventually we will be forgotten as generations pass, but that’s okay! Because Jesus doesn’t forget. He will remember you as you draw your final breath and mutter, ā€œJesus, remember me . . .ā€ And he will answer, ā€œToday you will be with me in paradise. See! I have engraved your name on the palms of my hands. I can’t help but think of you when I see the scars on the hands of my exalted, resurrected body. I had you in mind when I hung on the cross and when I rose again from the dead. When I send my angels to gather you on the Last Day, you won’t be forgotten.ā€

This is our joy and confidence, our hope and comfort this Easter weekend and every day. Say it with confidence: ā€œJesus, remember me.ā€ And then listen as he responds to you: ā€œToday you will be with me in paradise.ā€

Prayer:
Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through Baptism, may walk in newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise now and forever. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




This King Saves – April 11, 2025





Based on Luke 19:28-40

I received a text from a US Navy sailor who asked, ā€œChaplain Horn, could you please say a prayer today for my shipmates? They were underway and then out of the blue were told that their tour got extended by a handful of months. They are headed right into the thick of it in the Middle East.ā€

I reached out to one of our deployed US Army soldiers who is in Eastern Europe and asked, ā€œHow I can pray for you today?ā€ He responded, ā€œPray for peace. The number of dead bodies in large-scale combat is not something we can fathom in our American minds.ā€

Earlier today I reached out to an Air Force National Guardsman who just deployed, asking how she was. She responded, ā€œI just landed in country. I start my job tonight. Pray that my wing supports those who fly sorties, but I’m more concerned about my husband and infant son back home. Please pray for them.ā€

Jesus said that there will be wars and rumors of wars. These are the things that keep us up at night and cause anxiety, and the reason our prayer lists do not diminish but seem to always increase. It feels that this is ever-present in our life. And it is. It’s because of the presence of sin in a broken world. Some have asked, ā€œIs it proper for us to pray for peace? Will it actually happen on this earth? Is this something that our King in heaven can actually bring about?ā€

This coming Sunday you will hear about this King, on the Sunday we call Palm Sunday, or Sunday of the Passion. You will most likely hear the story of Jesus as he rides into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. The disciples and the crowds of people cut down branches from the trees and lay them down in the dirt road to show respect for a king as he comes into his city. They shout, ā€œHosanna!ā€ We hear this ancient word all the way back in the psalms. It’s a cry to the Lord that says, ā€œSave us!ā€ And that’s exactly what the King comes to do. He rides into Jerusalem to save—to save by going to war.

He goes to war against all that keeps us up at night, against all that makes us anxious. He goes to war against war itself. He goes to war with death and grave. He goes to war against the devil and his forces of evil, who use war and anxiety and fear and frustration to cast doubt in our minds that our King can truly save us. He goes to war by sitting atop a donkey, amid the cheers of ā€œHosanna!ā€ He goes and he does just that: He saves.

He saves not with Tomahawk missiles but in meekness. He saves not with a show of force but in weakness. He wins by way of a cross and a tomb. Not much of a military strategist, is he? But he wins but stomping on the head of the devil, crushing death by rising from his tomb.

With this victory, no more can Satan cast doubt in our hearts about this King, for he has done what he said he would do. No more can death and grave scare us into submission. For this King lives and lives to give us the sure confidence of life eternal. This King saves. This King restores all things, and he does this for you.

Whatever keeps you up at night, whatever causes you to feel anxious, be at peace. Know that Jesus came to save you, your loved ones, and your battle buddies—to save them from all that might frighten us.

As for that for peace, the answer is, ā€œYes.ā€ When we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, ā€œGive us our daily bread,ā€ part of that prayer includes peace for the nations. When there is peace, when there is good government, there is safety. When there is peace and safety there is the ability to earn our daily bread in our varied vocations. Peace helps us love and serve our neighbor. Even in wartime and disaster, there is certainly opportunity for us to love and serve our neighbor.

Let us pray for peace, and pray that our hearts may be at peace, knowing and believing and trusting that this King saves. He saves us now and for eternity.

Prayer:

We praise you, O God, for the great acts of love by which you have redeemed us and saved us through your Son, Jesus Christ. As he was acclaimed by those who scattered their garments and branches of palms in his path, so may we always hail him as our King and follow him with perfect confidence.

Keep safe all our nation’s warriors and those who support them. Bring peace to those areas of our world where there is conflict.

Continue to bless our nation’s Air Force Reserve, which celebrates its birthday on April 14. It is by your gracious hand, Lord, that since 1948 you have provided a combat-ready force for varied missions across the Air Force. Today, as these men and women deploy weather reconnaissance to keep our pilots safe and engage in modular aerial firefighting and Pararescue, keep them always ready to assure victory for our nation—anytime, anywhere, to ā€œfly, fight, and win.ā€ We ask this in your gracious name. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




True Treasure – April 4, 2025





Based on Philippians 3:7-14

I have a little collection of military memorabilia growing in my home office: challenge coins, a hand grenade, an American flag handcrafted out of wood, a .50 round, unit patches, military baseball caps, and coffee mugs. Each of these was a gift. Each one of these pieces tells a story. I can share with you who gifted me these pieces of military memorabilia and why they gifted them to me. They are some of my most prized possessions.

When I am invited into your homes—forgive me if I do this—I may snoop around. Those of you who have had me in your homes know that I do this. I love to look at all the military memorabilia you have displayed in your homes: the awards, the unique gifts, the creative ways you showcase each of the duty stations where you’ve lived. Each one of those pieces tells your story. I know these are some of your most prized possessions because you have them on display for all to see.

How would you feel if one day they were all gone . . . lost in a move; wiped away by a flood; destroyed by fire; or crushed by a tornado, hurricane, or cyclone? I know how I would feel. I would feel devastated.

The apostle Paul redirects our attention in his letter to the Christians in Philippi: ā€œBut whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faithā€ (Philippians 3:7-10).

The apostle Paul had a lot to boast about. When you read the section immediately before this in Philippians chapter 3, he lists all of his accomplishments and successes. People would listen to him speak and say, ā€œWow! You really know a lot! You’ve accomplished a lot with your life!ā€ But the apostle Paul said, ā€œYeah, I consider them all rubbish. I want to know Christ. I want to be found in him. His righteousness is mine. All the places I’ve been, all that I’ve accomplished, they’re garbage. I have Christ’s righteousness. So that when people look at me, they don’t see all of these things I’ve accomplished but rather they see that what Christ has accomplished for me and what he has accomplished through me is what’s most important in my life.ā€

Then Paul goes on to say this: ā€œBut one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesusā€ (Philippians 3:13,14).

Paul is saying, ā€œInstead of fixing my eyes on these things, the things of this world, I fix my eyes on the eternal, not the temporal. For when I fix my eyes on the temporal, I forget about the eternal. I fix my eyes on my true treasure—that God, in Christ, has called me heavenward. That’s where I am going. That’s where I have eternal treasures. That’s my true treasure.ā€

God is not saying to us today to get rid of all our military memorabilia, the things we proudly display in our homes that showcase the places God has called us to serve and how he has called us to serve. But might there be a way to showcase Christ as our true treasure in our homes? Like a picture of Jesus, a cross, or a Bible verse to say to all who enter our homes, ā€œThis . . . this is my true treasure.ā€

Prayer:
Almighty God, by your great goodness, keep our eyes fixed on heavenly treasures so that we might not become distracted with that which is temporary and fleeting. Make your Word the most prominent fixture in our homes—in our hearts and minds and mouths—so that we may speak true treasure to others.

Lord Jesus, as we celebrate the Month of the Military Child, we know you love children of all ages, for you told your disciples, ā€œLet the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.ā€ Watch over children of military families. Comfort them when they are sad. Keep them safe when they must move. Help them find good friends. Remind them that you are always with them. In your name we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Reckless Spender – March 28, 2025





Based on Luke 15:1-3,11-32

He had recently run a new flag up the flagpole in his yard. Of course I was going to ask him about it, because it was a 101st Airborne flag that he now proudly flew. I discovered that he was a Vietnam veteran. I offered to treat him to coffee and said, ā€œI would love to hear more about your story. I just want to understand more.ā€ He obliged, so we went to coffee. He didn’t really say much about his time in Vietnam. The most he said was, ā€œI did the job that I had to do, and then I came home. That’s about all I have to say about that.ā€

He clearly did not want to talk about what he had done or what he had seen. After he shared his MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), I guessed that he had seen some stuff, experienced some things, and maybe done some things that he didn’t really want to share with me, and that was okay. I was fine with that.

There are many more like him that I have spoken to in my past 20+ years as a pastor. And now, in the last year and a half as a chaplain, I have heard from you, our nation’s warriors, who have done some things and seen some things. Some of you don’t really want to share.

Then there are others of you who have shared things with me—the things that you have done and the things that you have left undone. And what I can say is that there’s a lot of guilt out there.

The reason I bring this up is because the gospel reading for this coming Sunday is Luke chapter 15, where Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son. Maybe you’ve heard that story before and maybe you haven’t. I don’t want to assume anything, so here’s a quick recap:

Jesus told the story about a son who basically wished his father were dead because he had asked for his father’s inheritance. Beyond conventional reason, the father does this and says to his son, ā€œHere you go. Here is your inheritance.ā€ He split the inheritance up between his son and his brother.

The son then takes his inheritance and travels to a distant country and just completely blows it all on prostitutes, gambling, debauchery, and wild living until he has nothing. He hits rock bottom. He is homeless and jobless, and it’s just a bad situation. He says to himself, I have sinned against my God and my father. I will go home, and I will repent. I will ask my father for forgiveness. I’m going to say to him, ā€œMake me like one of your hired servants. I don’t deserve to be your son anymore.ā€

But as he is walking home, as Jesus tells the story, the father is watching. He’s waiting for his son to come home. He sees his son in the distance and runs to his son and embraces him, even though the son smells awful and is gaunt and the clothes on his back are like tattered rags and his hair is unkempt.

The son launches into his repentance speech, but the father cuts him off and says, ā€œYou belong to this family.ā€ He tells his servants to bring a robe and put a ring on his son’s finger and kill the fattened calf. We are going to have a party, the father says, because ā€œthis son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrateā€ (Luke 15:24).

Is that you? Do you feel like that prodigal son?

We use that term to describe this parable, but every time I teach this story, I ask people, ā€œDo you know what prodigal means?ā€ and most folks don’t. Prodigal means reckless spender. Of course, the son was a reckless spender. But the story is not about the son, is it? It’s about the father, the prodigal father, the reckless spender of his love. It’s about the fact that he would give his son his inheritance, first of all, but secondly, that he would welcome his son back as part of the family. So reckless was he with his love that he was willing to spend it all on his son because he loved him so much.

This is the story of you and me, isn’t it? It’s the story of those of you who don’t want to share with anybody else the things that you have done. It’s the story of those of you who have shared the things that you’ve done yet feel like that prodigal son, because you have recklessly spent your youth and your morals and your convictions or whatever it is that you have done. You have a prodigal Father. He welcomes you back because of your baptism, when he adopted you into his family. He promises that every time we repent and say to our Father, ā€œI am sorry. I have sinned against heaven and against you,ā€ the Father opens his arms and embraces us and kisses us and hugs us and says, ā€œYou are part of the family.ā€

The Father can say this because he is the reckless spender of his love. He doesn’t withhold anything. He offers up his most prized possession, his own Son, who suffers and bleeds and dies and takes your guilt and mine and nails it to the cross and puts it to death forever. He loves you so much that he does that for you. The Father loves you so much that he is the reckless spender who will say to you every time you come to him, ā€œYes, you are my son. You are my daughter. You are forgiven. You are part of my family, and the inheritance that I gave you, which is my Son and his life and death and resurrection and heaven itself—all of that is still yours.ā€

This is the kind of Father you have: a reckless spender of his love. So, my dear friends, go to him. Go to him in repentance. Go to him and find rest and hope and comfort, knowing that your Father is a reckless spender of his love for you.

Prayer:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, you receive us as your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge your merciful goodness, give thanks for all of your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience.

Lord God, this March 29th our nation pauses to recognize Vietnam War Veterans Day. As we look back to this war, we are reminded of what a horrible thing war is. You know those who carry heavy burdens because of friends lost, friends who still suffer silently, and those who still suffer from moral injuries and physical and spiritual pain. Use us to lead them to Jesus, who bears their burdens, who forgives their sins, and who brings everlasting hope. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Jesus Gives You Time to Repent – March 21, 2025





Based on Luke 13:1-9

Twenty-two years ago this week, our nation’s military began Operation Iraqi Freedom. Too many of our war fighters returned home in flag-draped coffins. For some, as their remains were lowered into the ground, surrounded by family and friends, members of a church from Topeka, Kan., stood with signs that said, ā€œThank God for dead soldiersā€ and chanted, ā€œGod is visiting the sins upon America by killing their kids with IEDs.ā€

This year we will observe the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. When that storm struck the area of New Orleans, some Christian pastors and leaders appeared on national radio and TV to say: ā€œThe destruction from this storm is God’s judgment on the United States of America.ā€

How are we as Christians to respond to this—that natural disasters and war are evidence of God’s direct judgment on a specific nation or a specific group of people?
In the Old Testament we read that God did open the ground and swallow people alive. Fire rained down from the sky and destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sin. God used the war machine of the nation of Israel to decimate entire populations. In those instances, God clearly explained, ā€œThis is my divine judgment on people who have hardened their hearts toward me for so long, that now, sadly, I am giving them what they want: an eternity separated from me and my presence.ā€

But when we witness natural disasters, accidents, wars, or other unusual ways that people suffer and die, we cannot speak for God and say, ā€œThis is his divine judgment.ā€ We cannot speak where God has not spoken.

In Luke 13:1-9, Jesus rejects the popular opinion of his day (and of ours!) that unusual suffering and death comes to those who are worse sinners than others: ā€œThose eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perishā€ (verses 4,5).

Jesus teaches us to be ready for our death. It is inevitable. We do not know when, where, or how we will depart from this earth, but we know that because our bodies are so corrupted with sin, they are subject to decay, disease, and death. We will die. But Jesus teaches us that when we see and hear about natural disasters or war or unusual suffering and death, we need to repent.

To repent means to change your mind about your sin; your personal, self-serving desires and passions; and your pride and anger and greed. You then confess: ā€œThese offend my holy God. These do harm to my neighbor. And for them I sincerely am sorry.ā€ So repent! Turn away from those sins and turn then to Christ, and see that he is patient, loving, and forgiving. Repent! Turn to Christ and see that his perfect life of love covers over all your sin. Stand before your holy God, no more condemned but pardoned, because of Christ Jesus.

When you see natural disasters, when you hear of people suffering or dying, when you hear about wars and rumors of wars, understand that your patient God is giving you an opportunity to repent. Your patient God is giving you time to think about your death. The when, where, and how it will happen does not matter. What does matter is that you know that you are forgiven. Know that you are loved. Know that Christ Jesus will do what he promised you in your baptism. In Baptism you have already died and have been raised again. You will live, just as he does.

Prayer:
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast to the unchangeable truth of your Word.

Lord, it is a difficult thing for a Christian to serve in our nation’s military. So much of their time pulls them away from time spent in your Word. So much of the culture entices them away from your life-giving Word. So many carry the guilt of what they have done or left undone. Restore them. Assure them that you are a patient and forgiving God. Point them to your cross and proclaim forgiveness for them. Help Christians who serve in our nation’s military to be a light to those around them, so that others may see and believe and trust in you, the one true God, our Savior. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Heaven Is My Home – March 14, 2025





Based on Philippians 3:17-4:1

Where is home? I know that’s a loaded question for someone who serves in our nation’s military or is a dependent of a military member. You might answer, ā€œWell, it depends . . .ā€

Where is home? Home could be the barracks; a tiny on-base apartment in the middle of the Pacific; a CONEX container fitted out with A/C in the Middle East; a ship rocking back and forth in the middle of the ocean; or a small, rented home just outside of the gate. Home might mean a house you purchased with your own money.

Home for you—in the back of your mind—is always temporary, isn’t it? As much as you try to bloom where you’re planted, you know that eventually you’ll say, ā€œWe’re gonna move.ā€

And there always seems to be a longing to ā€œgo back home,ā€ wherever that is for you—where you’re from, where a good number of friends and family live, and where they’ve lived for as long as you can remember.

For some, there is a longing, a nostalgia to return ā€œhome,ā€ but when you go back to visit, it doesn’t always quite play out the way you envisioned in your mind. The time with family and friends doesn’t always go the way you hoped it would. So in this weird twist in your mind and heart, you’re almost happy to be back home where you live: your house, the barracks, that tiny apartment just outside of the gate, the on-base housing.

This longing for home only proves that this place, planet earth, and wherever it is you currently lay your head on your pillow at night, is temporary. All of it. That’s because God has put eternity in our hearts. It’s not just a feeling. God comes right out and says it.

In our reading today, the apostle Paul wrote to Christians who lived in Philippi, which is modern-day Turkey. Philippi was a Roman colony for military veterans, who were very proud of their Roman citizenship. They knew their names were written on a ledger in Rome, which backed up that reality. The Philippians dressed like people in Rome. They spoke like Romans. They incorporated Roman culture into their city. They longed for the city of Rome.

Paul points the Christians in Philippi and us to our permanent eternal home. He writes, ā€œBut our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christā€ (Philippians 3:20). In your eternal home in heaven, your names are written in the book of life. There you will be dressed like people in heaven are dressed: in the white robes of Christ’s righteousness. There you will speak the language of heaven, singing the praises of him who called you to that home. There the souls of those who have gone before us call it home and are already enjoying that blessed place called heaven.

So whether you are preparing to PCS this summer, ship out to basic training, go TDY, deploy, or redeploy, or if you’re staying put for a while at your current duty station, would you do this today? Pause, look around you, and say, ā€œLord, here’s where you have put me. I am here at this time and at this place. It is good to be here. But I have an eternal home. Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes fixed on that eternal home, where you are, where some of my dear friends and family in Christ have gone, where someday I too will be.ā€

Yes, heaven is your home.

Prayer:
Almighty God, you see that we have no power to defend ourselves. Guard and keep us both outwardly and inwardly from all adversities that may happen to the body and all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul, knowing that my body and soul are in your protective care until you call me home to heaven.

Lord God, this week we celebrate with our nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, the American Legion, which has actively sought to strengthen our nation since 1919. Lord, we ask that you bless the programs and services of the American Legion so that you through them might enhance the wellbeing of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities. In your name I pray. Amen



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




One Stands Alone – March 7, 2025





Based on Luke 4:1-13

There is a section of Interstate 5 that runs from San Diego County through Camp Pendleton in southern California named after a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant. He was sent to a tiny island in the Pacific during WWII, where for five months he and his fellow Marines were in the fight of their lives. Since this island was a strategic location for the Rising Sun Empire, U.S. forces knew they needed to capture and hold the airfield on Guadalcanal.

For two bloody days this Marine, John Basilone, fought against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty. He not only held his ground but under heavy enemy fire battled his way through enemy lines to supply his men with much-needed ammunition. For his personal valor and courageous initiative, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

After being recalled to the States, Basilone toured the country, raising money for the war effort. Just over a year later, Basilone received orders to return to the Pacific fight. On February 19, 1945—80 years ago—the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, Basilone found himself and his fellow Marines pinned down from every direction. Disregarding the safety of his own life, he courageously and shrewdly worked his way around the flanking enemy position, attacking the enemy with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying an entire enemy stronghold.

Then, Basilone repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of enemy shells while coming to the aid of a U.S. tank trapped in a minefield. He skillfully guided the vehicle through the hazardous terrain to safety. Basilone pushed forward with dauntless courage and determination until he was killed instantly by a bursting mortar shell. For his intrepid initiative, he was awarded the Navy Cross.

This story often feels like my own life. What about you? I’m on a battlefield, where the enemy spiritual forces of darkness relentlessly attack my position. They constantly remind me of how often I have failed in my mission from my commander, which is to love and serve my neighbor and my God more than myself. Some days are better than others, but on most days, it feels as if the enemy has overrun my position and my guilt-laden conscience. I have regret over the sinful, selfish decisions I’ve made, and memories of the good I’ve left undone get the best of me. The enemy is more than willing to remind me of these things. What about you?

There on the battlefield stands a hero. One who stands alone. One who received the same attacks and the same accusations from the enemy, but didn’t have any regrets. No guilty conscience. No good left undone. But he was attacked just the same. The enemy tried with all their tactics and cunning to dislodge him from his secure position. With no regard for his own life, he entered that battlefield and won the war, for you and me.

The one who stands alone victorious is your commander, Jesus. When the devil tried to tempt him to disbelieve his Father’s promises, Jesus instead stood firm on his Father’s promises. Jesus defeated the devil this way—not to show you how to defeat the devil but to show you he has defeated the devil.

So when your life feels like John Basilone’s—standing alone, fighting the enemy—know that the battle has been won for you. Stand against the enemy. Know that their bullets and mortar rounds fall short. Christ has won for you. He stands alone so you might stand victorious with him.

I encourage you to read Luke 4:1-13 today. Find joy and comfort and safety in the victory Jesus has won for you over the enemy.

Prayer:
Mighty God and Father, our Lord Jesus walked into the wilderness to face the devil’s temptations, but he did not succumb to Satan’s lies or falter in his resolve to save the world from the prison of hell. Bolster our faith by his mighty victory, that we may battle against the forces of evil with courage and confidence.

Today we thank you for men and women who train canines to serve in our nation’s military. Since 1942 our nation’s military has used canines as security patrol, search and rescue, and detection. This week as our U.S. military recognizes Military Working Dogs, we ask that you be with the handlers and trainers of these canines. Use these creatures of your marvelous creation to save and preserve life. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




The Big Picture – February 28, 2025





Based on Luke 9:28-36

So, where are you going? Where is your next duty station?

These are questions I’ve been asking our military members as the PCS season is fast approaching. Are you looking to fill a billet, a slot, and hoping and praying that for one of your top five billets your name is on the top of that list? Where would you like to land? I know some of you would like to fill a billet that advances your career, or perhaps puts you closer to family or friends, or takes you to a part of the country or the world you’ve never been to before. Maybe it’s your final duty station. You’ve already begun working on that paperwork as you transition out of military life to civilian life.

For some, you know exactly how the next few years will play out for you. It’s been mapped out. For others, you’re not so sure. Wouldn’t it be would helpful if the all-knowing God stood you on top of a mountain and pointed down to a path coming down that mountain, and on that path God has laid out everything for you: every PCS, every deployment, every redeployment, every school, every training, all of the difficult times that lie ahead so you can prepare for them, and every joy so that you can rejoice in them? Wouldn’t that be nice?

Well, he does. Walk with me up a mountain with three of Jesus’ friends: John and his brother James, and their buddy Peter. Follow Jesus up a mountain. Watch and listen as he prays. And then look! See him transfigured before your eyes. The lowly, ordinary Jesus, the Jew from Nazareth, is suddenly transfigured. You can read this story in Luke chapter 9. There Luke describes Jesus’ clothes as they became bright as a flash of lightning. His face shines like the sun. It is so glorious that the disciples grovel in the dirt, sinners who realize they are standing in the presence of the divine.

Jesus is transformed into something glorious, like God . . . because that’s who he was and is: God in the flesh. But here on the mountain he pulls back the curtain on his humanity and allows his disciples and us, through their eyewitness testimony, to see Jesus for who he is: God for us. While the disciples are shielding their eyes, two prophets from Old Testament appear with Jesus—Moses and Elijah—and they are chatting with Jesus. Luke tells us they are talking ā€œabout [Jesus’] departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalemā€ (Luke 9:31). They discussed his departure . . . his death on the cross and his glorious resurrection from the dead and his glorious ascension back into heaven.

The all-knowing God stands us on the mountain and points to a path leading down the mountain. He points to all of the hardships and joys of your life and shows you their glorious end: a grave—your grave—a vacated grave. The end includes a glorious resurrection, a glorious eternity in heaven, where you will behold the face of Jesus in all of its glory without shielding your eyes, without groveling in the dirt, because you are covered in his glory, in his righteousness. This is the big picture. God reveals it to you.

No matter what this PCS season brings, no matter which billet you fill, no matter which duty station you get or don’t get, no matter the length of the deployment cycle, no matter where you land after your discharge from the military—God has shown you the big picture. Jesus is still God. Jesus is still glorious. Jesus knows the path you will walk. Jesus knows the hardships and the joys you will experience. Jesus knows the glorious end of your life’s journey. It ends the same way it begins. With him.

See the big picture. Know that Jesus is your big picture.

Prayer:
Lord God, before the suffering and death of your one and only Son, you revealed his glory on the holy mountain. Grant that we who bear his cross on earth may behold by faith the light of his heavenly glory and so be changed into his likeness.

This week, Lord, we celebrate with both the Navy Reserve and Seabees, who celebrate birthdays this week. Since 1915 you have provided faithful men and women who are willing to serve in their civilian vocations and train as sailors at the same time, ready and willing to deploy wherever their country needs them.

For the past 83 years through our Seabees, you have provided miles of bridges, roads, bases, and airfields around the world as our Navy’s construction force. Continue to bless our nation’s defense forces through the men and women who serve in our Navy. Lord Jesus, in your name we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Go to War. Love Your Enemies – February 21, 2025





Based on Romans 12:14-21; 13:4

If you currently serve or have served in our nation’s military as a warfighter or a service member, do you know how God describes you in the Bible? He says in Romans 13:4 that you are ā€œagents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.ā€

Because you are employed by our government, God has given the government the sword. In Romans 13, Paul says that the servant of God, the government, does not bear the sword for nothing. You are an extension of God’s hand through the government. You are to bring punishment on evil people, to bring punishment on wicked people, which means you are to be ā€œArmy Strong,ā€ to ā€œRanger Up,ā€ to be ā€œForged by the Sea,ā€ to ā€œAim High,ā€ to be ā€œAlways Faithful,ā€ to be ā€œAlways Prepared,ā€ Semper Fidelis, Semper Paratus. You are to bring punishment on the enemy.

You are also to be a deterrent, which is why we have units and squadrons and battalion stations strategically all over the United States to tell our near-peer competitors, ā€œListen, if you step out of line, you know what waits for you.ā€

And at the same time, this is how God talks to us in the same letter to the Romans, in 12:17-21. He says, ā€œDo not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ā€˜It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ā€˜If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.ā€

Some years ago, when I served a congregation that was located near a military installation, I had a U.S. Army soldier come up to me after church and say, ā€œPastor, I really struggled with your prayer this morning.ā€ This soldier had recently redeployed from the war zone, and I had prayed for our enemies. And as a U.S. Army medic, he had treated the wounded and the dying, his battle buddies, his friends in arms, his brothers in arms. And he had seen what the enemy had done to his friends. So he said, ā€œPastor, I don’t really pray that prayer. I really stick to the imprecatory psalms.ā€ These are psalms that talk about dashing the enemy’s head against rocks and bathing our feet in our enemy’s blood. King David prayed these prayers.

So how do we reconcile that? Love our enemies. And the job that you are called to do is to serve as an agent of wrath. Look to Christ. Look to Jesus on the cross as he is being put to death, as he’s being murdered at the hands of wicked men, and listen to what he says: ā€œFather, forgive them.ā€ Look to Christ.

When a royal official—a man who worked for a pagan, hedonistic government ruler—went to Jesus because his son was dying, Jesus didn’t question him. He went and he healed his son. Actually, Jesus didn’t even go! He just said the word and this man’s son was healed.

Another time a Roman centurion came to Jesus. This is a company commander of men who knew how to kill. They were agents of wrath, right? He came to Jesus because one of his servants was dying, and Jesus said the word and he healed the servant.

When Roman soldiers went to John the Baptizer, John didn’t say, ā€œHey, you need to find a new profession.ā€ He said, ā€œCarry out your vocation faithfully and honestly and with integrity.ā€

Look to Christ when you struggle to reconcile these two truths that seem to contradict each other at times. Go to the cross, and there you will find forgiveness for your anger, for words of vengeance, for thoughts of revenge, for when you have spoken hateful words about other human beings. Bring that all to the cross and know that you are forgiven for that. Then bring that cross with you as you carry out your vocation as a warfighter, so that you know why you were called to do what you do.

Then go carry out your vocation as a warfighter, a service member, a pencil pusher, a support staff person, a grunt, a pilot, an aviator, an officer. And do it faithfully and give glory to God for it in all that you do. Rely on him to be your strength to carry it out.

And if it means that you must go to war, then go do that. Go and carry out your missions and your sorties and do it in good conscience, for God has called you to do it. He sends you to punish the evildoer, to protect the good, to preserve peace.

Martin Luther once said, ā€œIf the sword were not on guard to preserve peace, everything in the world must go to ruin because of lack of peace.ā€ Pray for successful missions and sorties. Pray that God would suppress evil people who wish to bring to the world rape and murder and robbery and chaos and terror and destruction and corruption and every other wickedness that threatens peace. Everything that threatens the prosperity and spread of the gospel. Everything that prevents citizens from their ability to earn their daily bread by carrying out their vocations in society.

And at the same time, follow your Savior, pray for your enemies, pray that they hear the gospel, pray that they repent, pray that they come to faith, and pray that they may be saved and not die but live. For that is God’s will too—that all people be saved. That all people come to a knowledge of the truth and not die but live.

So go to war and love your enemies. Be the sword. And if you struggle with that and if you wrestle with that, continue to go to the cross and live in peace knowing that God is at peace with you because of what he has already done. The war has already been won for you in Christ Jesus. So go to war and love your enemies.

Prayer:
O almighty and everlasting God, through your own Son you have commanded us to love our enemies, to do good to them that hate us, and to pray for those that persecute us. We pray that by your divine providence they may be led to true repentance and be of one mind and heart with us and with your whole church.

I also pray for the naval aviators whose aircraft crashed in the San Diego harbor. I thank you that you have kept them safe, that they were able to eject from their aircraft safely. I thank you for the civilian boat in the harbor that was there to pull them out of the water in less than a minute from when they hit the water. I thank you for the Coast Guard that has also come to help. I thank you for those that have contained the oil and fuel that has been spilled into the harbor.

We pray that you be with all pilots and aviators, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and the instructors who train the men and women who dare the eagles’ flight. Send your holy angels to keep them safe, O Lord. In your name I pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Here Am I. Send Me! – February 7, 2025





Based on Isaiah 6:1-8

Some years ago, I was privileged to attend the graduation for the U.S. Army Rangers at Fort Benning, now Fort Moore, in Georgia. At that graduation, one of the speakers quoted Isaiah 6:8: ā€œThen I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ā€˜Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ā€˜Here am I. Send me!’ ā€

The purpose for that quotation and its use among the U.S. Army Rangers is that it reflects the Rangers’ ability to complete tasks with little to no prompting, to engage in violence of action. And those who wear the Ranger tab are qualified to carry out those types of missions.

I’m not a U.S. Army Ranger. I’ve not been qualified in any type of the Special Operations Command training with their weapons or their tactics. I am unqualified in close quarters battle. That’s not something that I’ve been called to do. And I don’t know about you. Maybe some of you are qualified in that, and I thank you for doing that on our behalf.

And maybe for some of you, that’s not your vocation either. You are a military service member. You are a warrior. And maybe you’re not a warfighter, but you are somebody who supports the warfighters. You also have other callings from God—other vocations. Maybe you are a son or a daughter to your parents, and you’re called to love and care for your mom and your dad. Maybe you are a husband or a wife, and you’re called to love your spouse. Maybe you are a father or a mother, and you are called to love your children.

Maybe you are someone who is not in the military world, but you’re on the civilian side, but you’re still called to serve those that you interact with on a day-to-day basis. And still there may be some of you who have one foot on the military side and one foot on the civilian side as you serve in our Guard or as a reservist. This is where God has put you, and what he has called you to do is to love and serve those people at this time and at this place.

So my question to you is this: How is it going? Do you feel qualified to serve those people at this time in your life and at that place?

I don’t know about you, but I often don’t feel qualified to carry out the vocations that God has called me to carry out. I often disappoint my spouse and my children and my friends and my colleagues with promises made and promises not kept. And I often find myself with a self-serving attitude rather than a self-sacrificing attitude. And it reminds me of a part of the Ranger Creed that says, ā€œNever shall I fail my comrades.ā€ Well, I am often guilty of that. I don’t do those things. I often feel unqualified to carry out the vocations that God has called me to do.

What about you? Well, you’re not alone. The prophet Isaiah felt that way as he stood in the presence of a holy God. He acknowledged that he was sinful and unclean, unqualified to do the work that God was going to call him to do. But in Isaiah 6, that same chapter that that U.S. Army Ranger quoted at that Ranger tab pinning ceremony, God said to Isaiah, ā€œYour guilt is taken away and your sin atoned forā€ (verse 7). And by faith Isaiah believed that. His Savior would not take on human flesh for another 700 years. But Isaiah believed that that’s what God had done. He had taken away his guilt. He had atoned for his sin.

And the same is true for you and for me. Our Lord Jesus has taken away our guilt by becoming our guilt. For all those times that we were self-serving and not self-sacrificing, Jesus sacrificed himself perfectly for you and for me. He said to you and me, ā€œYou are innocent. You are not guilty.ā€

Jesus paid the ultimate price by laying down his life for yours and mine. He has atoned for your sin, which means he has made that payment of life blood for you and for me. And it was after the Lord had proclaimed that forgiveness to Isaiah and asked him, ā€œWho shall go for us? And whom shall we send?ā€ Isaiah raised his hand and said, ā€œHere am I. Send me!ā€

Whatever vocation God has called you to at this time and this place to love and serve other people, we can confidently say to God, ā€œYes! Here am I. Send me! You have called me to love and serve these people.ā€ The reason we can do that is because he has taken away our guilt. He has atoned for our sin.

So go! Go and serve confidently and say to the Lord, ā€œHere am I. Send me!ā€

Prayer:

Lord, with heavy hearts we come before you on behalf of the families of those U.S. Army soldiers, Rebecca Lobach, Ryan Austin O’Hara, and Andrew Eaves, the U.S. Army flight crew who died in that helicopter crash in Washington, D.C.

We also pray for the family members of the 64 individuals on that commercial aircraft who also perished. You tell us in your Word in Isaiah’s book that your ways are higher than our ways and your thoughts are not our thoughts, and sometimes we struggle to understand a tragedy like this, Lord.

When we suffer and when we are sad, you point us to your promises in Christ Jesus to grant peace and to give the hope of eternal life into heaven and to strengthen us on our way there. And so, Father in heaven, we ask that you grant that peace, that hope of eternal life, that strength to the survivors, that you provide faithful Christian pastors and chaplains and family members and friends to comfort them in the weeks and months ahead.

And so also, Father, we pray for all of our service members who are training around the world. Send your holy angels to watch over them and to protect them. Keep them faithful to their training. Keep them alert and aware. Keep them safe, Lord, by your grace. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – The Perfect Marriage – January 31, 2025





Based on Isaiah 62:1-5; Ephesians 5:25-27

What are you looking for in a marriage?

Now, before I lose you, I fully understand that some of you who are reading this devotion are single, and maybe you’re not really looking for a significant other right now. So just hang with me for a second.

Maybe others of you are looking for that special someone and you’re wondering, ā€œWhat am I looking for in a future spouse?ā€

Some of you have a Christian spouse. Your marriage is firmly built on Christ. It’s kind of like a Navy ship that is out to sea, and you bring it into dry dock quite often to do maintenance and repair or preventative maintenance on your marriage. And even when it goes out to sea and the seas are kind of rough, you do OK in your marriage relationship.

But for others of you, that marriage is like a Navy ship that is out in the middle of sea being rocked this way and that by the storms of life. And you’re not exactly sure what to do. You think, ā€œWe should probably bring it into dry dock to do maintenance.ā€

Still others of you may have a marriage that resembles a Navy ship that has been brought out to sea and has sunk in the middle of the ocean.

I’m here to tell you that no matter what your relationships are like, you have the perfect marriage. In Isaiah 62:5, this is how Jesus speaks about you: ā€œAs a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.ā€

You see, this is who you are. You are in a perfect marriage relationship with your God in heaven—with Jesus as the groom, and you and I as his bride, his Church. And I know you may not feel it at times because of the way you’ve treated your relationships here on earth, whether as a single person or as someone who is married or divorced or widowed. Because of the things that you’ve said, the things that you’ve done, the things that you’ve left undone, or the things that you need to repent of.

So rest in this relationship—this perfect marriage relationship that your God has with you. The prophet Isaiah says your God will rejoice over you. How can he do that? Because this is what your husband in heaven has done for you. The apostle Paul says in Ephesians chapter 5 that your husband has loved you, his bride. He gave himself up for you. He has cleansed you. He has washed you with water through the Word in your baptism. He has presented you to himself as a radiant bride, his Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish. Holy and blameless. That’s who you are.

And knowing that means you can rest in that relationship and all that Jesus brings to it. So as you think about what you might be looking for in a relationship with a future spouse, you know what to look for. Someone who points you to Jesus. Someone who has that solid relationship with God in heaven so that when you do get married, you can continue to remind each other of that perfect relationship that you both have.

And for those of you who are in a marriage that’s on that Navy ship out to sea—which seems to be rocking back and forth and threatened to be capsized—bring it into dry dock. Do preventative maintenance. And both of you get back into the Word of God and remind each other, ā€œHey, we are in a perfect relationship with our God in heaven.ā€

So what does that look like? It means there will be love, forgiveness, patience, understanding, healing, and peace. Because you are in that perfect marriage relationship between you and Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are the example for single people of all times. Give the single people the strength to live a Christian life. Let encouragement from family and friends sustain them when days are lonely, and give them joy in lives of service to you.

Heavenly Savior, you have instituted and blessed marriage, so also help those who are married to keep you ever in their homes. Forgive them for those times that they have let anger or distrust or unhappiness or lack of devotion harm their relationships. Teach those who are married to turn to you and to talk to each other to get through difficult times and to bring Christ back into the home and to remind each other of that special relationship that you have with us.

Father in heaven, we also ask that you be with all of our warfighters, our active duty National Guard Reserve troops that have been activated, called up to service to our borders here between the United States and Mexico. We pray that you would keep them safe in their missions, to help them to be firm when they need to be firm, and to help them to be loving and compassionate and patient when they need to be loving and kind and patient. Be with them. Keep them safe and bring them back home to their families and friends, in your time and in your way, according to your good pleasure. We ask this all in your name. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Be Resolute in Rejection – January 24, 2025




Based on Luke 4:16-30



Has it ever happened to you that you’ve been out on the flight deck, in the motor pool, out at the range, or in the shop, and you’ve gone over the training regs over and over again, but there’s that one individual or maybe that small group of people that just don’t seem to get it, for whatever reason? How does that make you feel?

I’m guessing there’s probably some frustration or maybe some anger. Maybe you had a loss for words, or maybe you want to say some words that you probably shouldn’t say, and you’re thinking to yourself, What more can I do for you?

I wonder if Jesus felt this way a little bit in Luke chapter 4. I encourage you to read it today. In Luke 4, Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth. He’s there with his family and friends and neighbors, people who knew him and people whom he knew. He’s in the synagogue reading the Scriptures to them and reading about how the Scriptures point to himself. He is saying, ā€œThese Scriptures are talking about me. Here’s what I’ve come to do: I’ve come to bring you good news.ā€

This good news is not just some military briefing on a new policy or a safety stand-down, but this is how to get to heaven and how to be right with God—all of the promises that God has to give to them. It’s a free gift to them. But as you read the story, they refuse to believe it. We’re not told what is going through Jesus’ mind as this is all happening, but I suspect there’s some sadness and some compassion for these lost souls because they are so obstinate that they rush him out of the synagogue and take him to the edge of the town where there’s a cliff. They intend to throw him off of it to murder him.

The reason we have this story in the Scriptures is so Jesus can remind us that if people did these things to him, our Lord and Savior, how are they going to treat us when we, his followers, have conversations with others about this same good news, this same free gift?

I know you’ve already had those conversations, and I’m hoping it has never escalated to the point of violence. But I know that you and I have heard some pretty awful things said about our Savior Jesus. We’ve heard some pretty awful things said about our faith, the Bible, our churches, and about Christianity.

Jesus gives us this story in Luke 4 to tell us to not be afraid. This is nothing new, and you are not alone. Your Savior Jesus knows and hears and sees all these things. And he doesn’t just know and hear them, he provides us with tools to get us through it, to endure. He gives us the power of prayer, just as he gave it to the apostles. And we see this time and time again in the book of Acts and in Paul’s letters and in Peter’s letters, where they talk about praying when people were so obstinate that they wanted to kill the apostles, and they did. But they prayed, and God answered their prayer and gave them the strength to get through those things.

Jesus gives you prayer. He gives you his promises. These are the same promises that Jesus himself clung to when evil men hated him so much that they murdered him by putting him on a cross. But even in that moment, Jesus continued to pray to his Father to deliver him, and he did, by raising him from the dead.

So do not be afraid. People will reject you because they reject Christ, but Jesus will never reject you. Jesus’ encouragement to you and me today is to continue to be bold and persistent. Be confident and be patient with people. Have compassion for their lost souls, and love them.

Because you already know that you have the hope of eternal life. You have the joy of the forgiveness of all of your sins. You have the peace of knowing that you are in a right relationship with your Savior. And there are some people who are just going to reject that good news. So pray for them. Pray for them today by name. Pray that the almighty power of the gospel would break their stony hearts like a hammer. Pray in joy and humility that the Holy Spirit would use you as his mouthpiece to point another soul to Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we too may bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive.

And today we pray, O Holy Spirit, that you would open doors for our Ministry to the Military. Open the way for WELS congregations who are near our duty stations to connect with the military communities in their area, to fulfill needs of the military members in those areas, and to use their efforts to build relationships so that a bridge might be built to Jesus. The power of your Word alone can do this. So we pray, do this according to your good pleasure and purpose. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Baptized into the Battlefield – January 17, 2025




Based on Galatians 3:26,27



When I was in Okinawa recently, I stood in the location for the final battle of World War II. When the American forces landed on the western side of the island, they did not experience the opposition that they had when they landed on previous islands to engage the Japanese forces. When they rolled up onto the island, they walked around, did some scouting, and didn’t see any enemy forces.

Then three or four days later, the Japanese really let them have it. You see, the Japanese allowed the American forces to land where they did and let them set up camp where they wanted, because then they knew exactly where the American forces would be and where they would be setting up camp. They then had their artillery zeroed in on those locations. They had their enemy forces located in the intricate web of caves, in the cliffs, and in the hills of the island of Okinawa, because they knew exactly where our troops would be so they would inflict heavy casualties on them.

Some days it feels that way, doesn’t it? Our life is kind of like a battlefield. And actually, the Bible describes it that way. And it’s because we are baptized into Christ. Because we are baptized into Christ, we have his name on us. The devil marks us as the enemy, and he knows exactly where to hit us with temptations so that we despair when things come up in our lives and we say, ā€œWhat is going on?ā€ We wonder where God is. The devil tempts us into false belief. He tempts us into great and shameful sin, and it just seems that no matter where we go, the devil always knows how to get us. We’re baptized into a battlefield.

But you know, my friends, that Jesus was baptized into a battlefield too. The Bible tells us that as soon as Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led him out into the wilderness to engage with the devil in hand-to-hand combat—spiritual hand-to-hand combat. The devil was tempting him for 40 days and 40 nights, but on that battlefield, Jesus won the battle for us. He won the fight for us so we know that when we are on this battlefield called life—and it oftentimes feels like we’re losing and like the devil has our location zeroed in all the time—we know that the battle has been won, because Jesus has won it for us.

Not only are we baptized into a battlefield, but Galatians 3 tells us that all of us who are baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ (verse 27). Not only do we have Jesus’ name on us as his friend, as his ally, as his brothers and sisters, but we also have been clothed with him in his righteous life. The life that he won when he engaged in battle with the devil—he gives us that. And he doesn’t leave us alone.

When the American forces were on the island of Okinawa, there were times that platoons of Marines were by themselves for a very, very long time, until reinforcements came to relieve them of the battle fatigue and all the things they were going through in that battle on Okinawa.

In that same way, Jesus doesn’t leave us alone. He gives us this promise in our baptism. He gives us this promise in his Word that he will never leave us or abandon us. He also gives us his Lord’s Prayer, especially the Sixth and Seventh Petitions—lead us not into temptation; deliver us from evil.

Those are things the Father promises to do for us when we pray to him. So, my friends, know that, yes, you are baptized into a battlefield, but you are also baptized into Christ.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, at times we tend to despair because of the way that the devil tempts us, the way that he assaults us. It feels like we’re in a fierce battle every single day of our lives, but we also know that we are baptized into your name, and because of that, we have won the victory.

And so also in that same spirit, Lord Jesus, we ask that you be with all of our warfighters who are deployed right now. Some of them are engaged in combat operations and are in harm’s way, and so we pray that you send your holy angels to watch over them. Protect them in body, mind, and soul. And also to be with their family members and friends here in the States. Remind them that they are not alone, but that you are with them. Surround them with good, faithful, Christian friends and neighbors to remind them of these promises too. We ask this in your name. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Who Are You? – January 10, 2025




Based on Titus 3:3-7



Who are you? How do you see yourself? Maybe by your rank. Maybe by your spouse’s rank. Maybe you identify yourself by the things that you’ve done and the places you’ve been. And I know what happens. One of my friends who’s in the military says, ā€œAs soon as another military member walks into the room, you start sniffing each other out like dogs to see where you stand and where that other person stands.ā€

Is that you? Is that really you? What you’ve done, where you’ve been, your rank, maybe your spouse’s rank? You might think that you’re something. But look at what God says about you and me in our reading in Titus chapter 3. In it, the apostle Paul writes to Pastor Titus and says that God’s kindness and mercy saved us.

So it’s really not about us, what we’ve done, or who we think we are, but it’s all about God and who he is and what he’s done for us that makes us who we are.

But maybe that’s not you. Maybe you would answer that question ā€œWho are you?ā€ by looking at yourself in the mirror and saying, ā€œYeah, who am I? I’m a nobody. I’m nothing. I haven’t been able to promote as quickly as I’d like to. I haven’t been places or done things that my peers have done. I’m a nobody because of my past faults and failures.ā€

Look at some of the things that Paul lists in Titus chapter 3. He says, ā€œAt one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one anotherā€ (verse 3). You look at that list and say, ā€œYeah, that’s kind of the person that I am.ā€ And the devil will try to convince you of that—that this is who you are. You’re less than nothing in God’s sight, and why should he pay attention to the likes of you?

But keep reading. The apostle Paul then begins to list the beautiful descriptors of who God is. He says that he is a Savior who saved you and me, as Paul writes, ā€œnot because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercyā€ (verse 5). That’s right. You are who you are because of who God is—kind and loving and merciful, the God who saves us and who saves us from ourselves.

And Paul answers the question, ā€œWell, how did he save you and me?ā€ in Titus chapter 3: ā€œHe saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviorā€ (verses 5,6). He saved you by washing you. He is, of course, talking about your baptism. In the waters of your baptism, God caused you to be reborn, as Paul says, which means you have a new life—a life that is no longer controlled by your sinful nature. You’ve been set free to live for Christ and to live with Christ and to live in Christ. In a life renewed, you no longer live for yourself but live for others. That’s who you are.

And there’s more. The apostle Paul goes on to say, ā€œSo that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal lifeā€ (verse 7). All that you and I think that we are, even when we think we’re something, is really nothing. God makes us who we are because he justifies us by his grace, not because of what we’ve done.

And grace is one of those words that means ā€œGod’s undeserved love.ā€ It’s God’s grace, his undeserved love, that moves him to justify us in the first place. And to justify means that as the judge, God declares you and me to be innocent, not guilty, of all those faults and failures that we listed before. You’re innocent. That’s who you are.

And there’s more. The apostle Paul goes on to write, ā€œso that we might become heirs, having the hope of eternal life.ā€ This is who you are. You have a spiritual bank account that has more wealth in it than Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos combined. Because of your baptism, you have everything that Jesus has. He owns the universe, which means you do too. He owned the devil and the grave, which means you do too. You have a resurrection from the dead. You have eternal life in heaven. That’s who you are.

So when you look at yourself in the mirror tonight before you go to bed, or when you wake up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror, say out loud, ā€œI am a baptized child of God. I am justified. I am reborn. I am renewed. I have an eternal inheritance because of who God is and what he has made me to be.ā€

My friends, live in your baptismal identity today and every day.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Keep us who are baptized into Christ faithful in our calling as your children, and make us heirs with him of everlasting life.

Today, Father, we thank you for our military members who are currently deployed in response to humanitarian aid. So often we forget that our military doesn’t just provide a show of force or to seek and destroy the enemy or to defend our United States. But our military also provides help to those who are in need around the world. And so we ask, Father, that you keep them safe as they travel. Bring them joy as they bring aid to people who need it. Bring peace to those places of the world where people are without their daily bread, so that stable governments may bring aid to their own people. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – De Oppresso Liber – January 3, 2025




Based on Galatians 4:4-7



They really had nowhere to go. They were wandering through mountainous regions and wilderness areas. They had little to no food, little to no water, no shelter, no extra clothes. They were fleeing from the wrath of a dictator who wanted to wipe them from the face of this earth. This is 500,000 people we’re talking about. These are the Kurds that were fleeing from Saddam Hussein.

Then comes Operation Provide Comfort.

Humanitarian and military aid came to help these Kurds, and among those groups that came to help them were the 10th Group Special Forces, known as the Green Berets. The motto of the Green Berets is on a challenge coin that somebody had gifted to me. It says, ā€œDe oppresso liber.ā€ It’s a Latin phrase that means ā€œto free the oppressed.ā€ That 10th Group Special Forces was credited with saving the lives of 500,000 Kurds from extinction.

De oppresso liber. Isn’t that what Jesus came to do? That’s the truth we hear in our reading today from Galatians chapter 4. This letter to the Galatians—that region is actually in modern-day Turkey, which really isn’t that far from where the oppressed were liberated.

Listen to the apostle Paul’s words. He says, ā€œBut when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the spirit who calls out, ā€˜Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heirā€ (Galatians 4:4-7).

Like the Kurds in the early 1990s—with nowhere to go, feeling entrapped, feeling enslaved—maybe there are times you feel that way. Not because an evil dictator is trying to wipe you from the face of this earth, but because of Christmases past, or maybe because of past New Years, where you made an honest resolution to change not just bad habits in your life but sinful behaviors. Times that you wanted to change your attitude toward your family members, your spouse, your children, your own parents, your co-workers, your friends, or just the random person out in the community.

The times you wish you would have been Christ to somebody in a way that was meaningful to them, and you just failed to do that. All of that guilt has you in shackles, and you feel there’s nowhere to go because of that guilt.

Well, in comes Jesus with Operation Redemption. At the right time in history, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, to take on our human flesh. That means that he had to be born under the requirements of God’s laws and his commandments. But Jesus fulfilled all of those perfectly in his attitude and his actions and his words toward his family members, his siblings, his parents, his friends, even those enemies of his—those who oppressed him.

Jesus was perfect in everything he said to them, the way that he loved them, and the way that he forgave them. And by that perfect life he has redeemed you, which means that he has set you free from that guilt.

You are no longer slaves to your guilt. Take that guilt to Jesus, and know that he has set you free from it. He has set you free to be his sons and his daughters. He has adopted you into his family. You are sons and daughters of God, your Father in heaven and that by your baptism.

And because of that you have an inheritance. Paul says you are an heir, which means that you have an inheritance of heaven, where you are set free from guilt, from sin, from death, from slavery to all of those things forever and ever.

So now go live that way. Go live as free sons and daughters of your Father in heaven.

De oppresso liber. You are set free.

Prayer:
Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all that we do. Keep watch over those who serve in our nation’s Special Operations Forces, who carry out unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, direct action, counterterrorism and covert operations, and special reconnaissance to throw down the oppressors and to liberate the oppressed and to protect our nation. Help them to carry out their missions according to your will, so that we and the people around the world may live in peace and safety. In your name we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – You Are Right Where You Need to Be – December 27, 2024




Based on Luke 2:41-52



Recently I made a trip to 29 Palms Marine Corps base to meet with some of our Wisconsin Synod members who live there, but also to meet with a military chaplain who is stationed there. He’s a Navy chaplain that serves the Marine Corps there. I had the opportunity to sit down and have breakfast with him and listen to his story.

He’s about 54 years old, and he’s only been in the Navy for two years. He had to get a waiver for that, but this wasn’t on his radar at all. He had been a teacher, he had been a pastor in the Missouri Synod, and then some of the Missouri Synod recruiters for the chaplaincy started talking to him, and he said, ā€œYou know what? I think this is something that I could do.ā€ Just listening to his story, you can tell he is right where he needs to be.

What about you? Do you feel that you are right where you need to be? And have you always felt that way? Are you one of those people who knew from the time you were little or maybe in high school that you wanted to serve your country in our nation’s military?

Or maybe you’re someone who has always desired to serve in that honorable vocation of being a stay-at-home mom or dad while your spouse continues their military career.

Or are you someone who struggles with where you are right now, and you ask this question: Is this where I need to be right now? That is a question that I often get from our warfighters and from those who support them, and especially from the Marine recruits at MCRD in San Diego.

Now just imagine as a 12-year-old knowing exactly where you needed to be and what you needed to do with your life. That seems incredible, but that’s exactly what we see when we read Luke chapter 2. It contains the story of Mary and Joseph and their family as they travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. They offer sacrifices there in the temple and then head home to Nazareth, but Jesus remains and stays in the temple in Jerusalem.

As you read the story, you see that Jesus schools the religious teachers in the Old Testament Scriptures—the prophecies that point to him and his work, which are a clear roadmap of his life, his death, and even his resurrection.

Jesus allows his family to travel one day north toward Nazareth. Mary and Joseph do a frantic search, realizing that Jesus isn’t with them. They run back to Jerusalem, and after three days find their 12-year-old boy, not cowering in some alleyway, but in the temple, with a full understanding of where he needed to be.

He says to Mary his mother, ā€œDidn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?ā€ (Luke 2:49). He was, of course, speaking of his heavenly Father, begotten from eternity. And his house was that temple, which was a picture of God’s presence among his people.

But now God himself stood among his people in the flesh. That’s where he needed to be. And this temple was where sacrifices were brought and offered by the priest, which was a picture of what Jesus came to be—your High Priest, to bring that one sacrifice of himself for the sins of all people, for you and for me.

During this time between Christmas and New Year’s, it’s good for us to ponder these things just as Mary did and to marvel that a 12-year-old knew exactly where he needed to be. Not for his benefit, but for yours—knowing that this roadmap of his life that he saw in the Scriptures, his life and death and resurrection, would benefit you eternally.

That puts a proper perspective on your life right now here on this earth. Because maybe you don’t have life figured out. You’re not exactly sure this is where you want to be or what you want to do with your life.

On the other hand, maybe your life is like that chaplain at 29 Palms who is flourishing in his vocation. Maybe that’s you. Praise and thank God for that!

Either way, right now Jesus has you right where he needs you to be, and know that it’s going to be okay. Jesus has it all figured out for you. He has you where you need to be right now, and you are where you are right now to love and serve and respect those around you and to be a blessing to someone else.

Thank God that you are right where you need to be.

Prayer:
Almighty God, in mercy you sent your one and only Son to take upon himself our human nature. By his gracious coming, deliver us from the corruption of our sin, and transform us into the likeness of his glory.

Tomorrow on December 28th, the Army Chaplain assistants, a Religious Affairs Specialist, celebrate their anniversary. Since the time of the Revolutionary War, soldiers of exceptional quality have served alongside our United States Army Chaplains, providing spiritual care and facilitating spiritual care, so that all might have the freedom to practice their religion, and caring for all. We thank you especially that through Religious Affairs Specialists, faithful Christians in our nation’s military have had the freedom to worship the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and without hindrance.

We pray that you continue to keep those doors open in our nation’s military so that your faithful people might continue to hear the good news of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.





Military Devotion – He Sings Because of You – December 13, 2024




Based on Zephaniah 3:14-17



Do you sing? And if so, where? I’m guessing at church. Or maybe you sing in the car when you’re riding solo and you crank the tunes and belt it out because number one, no one else is in the car, and number two, those songs just take you back.

Or maybe it’s when you’re in the car and the car is loaded full of kids, and you have your favorite tune from your high school days cued up. You’re ready to crank it and belt it out at the top of your lungs to embarrass your kiddos.

What about at a military ceremony formation? Do you sing there? For a change of responsibility or a promotion or a change of command or a graduation, and the band kicks in with that familiar military march, and you’re ready to belt it out with the gusto of a Marine at the birthday ball? Or maybe you quietly mumble along because it’s the 220th time that you’ve heard that march.

How many of you are familiar with the march ā€œAlways Ready, Always There!ā€?

I’m guessing that if you’re in the National Guard, maybe you are familiar with this march. And if you’re in the Guard, maybe you still haven’t heard of it because it’s fairly new. It’s only eight years old. ā€œAlways Ready, Always There!ā€ is much younger than the National Guard, which celebrates its birthday today on December 13th.

When you listen to this march, it just makes you want to stand up and belt it out with gusto.

In our devotion today, the Lord God gives us as Christians good reasons to stand up and burst into song. Through his prophet Zephaniah, he encourages his people with these words: ā€œSing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!ā€ (Zephaniah 3:14). Those proper names Zion and Jerusalem are pictures that are used of all believers.

So what was the occasion that prompted the Lord to tell us to burst into song with the gusto of a Marine at the birthday ball? Well, he says this through his prophet in verse 15: ā€œThe LORD has taken away your punishment.ā€ More festive than celebrating a birthday. More congratulatory than a promotion. More celebratory than a retirement is this declaration: Your sins are forgiven.

Zephaniah says there is no punishment waiting for you because you’ve sinned against your holy God. He’s saying to you that there is nothing evil that happens to you in this life because God is somehow using that evil to get back at you for the things that you’ve done. No, he’s taken it away forever. God doesn’t punish you. He punished his Son Jesus on the cross in your place. It’s done. It’s finished. That’s why God says to you and me, ā€œSing, shout aloud, be glad and rejoice with all your heart.ā€

But now in an interesting spin, the prophet Zephaniah then says this: ā€œThe LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singingā€ (verse 17).

Did you catch that? It says that God sings, and he sings because of you. And God’s song for you is prompted by the joy and happiness in his heart because your sin no longer separates you from him. He has this song of joy in his heart because he has won eternal life for you through his Son Jesus. He sings a song of joy and happiness because he has saved you forever, and he sings his song because he knows that you will spend eternity with him.

So, my friends, sing your glad songs to God for his saving work for you, and then listen as God sings his song because of you.

Prayer:
Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of your mighty deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts, and fill us with your light. Lord Jesus, protect the men and women who serve in our nation’s National Guard. Keep them faithful to the duties of their vocation as they serve us here at home in the States and around the world. Bless the efforts of the leadership to maintain a National Guard force that is ready to serve in times of strife or to help after natural disaster. I pray this in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen..



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – About-Face! – December 6, 2024




Based on Luke 3:1-6



December 7th, 1941, a day that continues to live on in infamy.

On that single day, 2,403 souls perished, and almost half of them in one battleship. If you ever have the chance to get to Hawaii, make sure you stop by Pearl Harbor and take the ferry out to the USS Arizona. When you get there, you’ll find it’s a very somber place. As you think about all the souls that perished there, as you stop to listen to the waves as they gently lap up against the memorial, you can both smell and see the oil that continues to float up to the surface from the Arizona. They call those ā€œthe black tears of the Arizona.ā€

All of this is a reminder of that awful day when lives were lost. As we think about tragic days like that, or 9/11, or the one-too-many violent shootings in our country, we turn to God and we ask, ā€œWhy?ā€ What does this all mean?

Before Jesus publicly went out preaching and teaching in the region of Galilee and Jerusalem and through Judea, God sent John the Baptizer to prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus. And people went out to the wilderness around the Jordan River to hear John preach and teach and baptize. And they went out to John with their questions for God. And some of those questions were, ā€œWhy? What purpose does this serve?ā€ John’s reply to them? ā€œRepent.ā€

God doesn’t always give an answer to our questions of ā€œWhy?ā€ God doesn’t need to, even though we think that he does. But God’s answer through John the Baptizer redirects our hearts and our minds so that we see what is really needed in our lives: not an answer from God, but for us to do an about-face, to repent.

John says to you and to me, ā€œRepent!ā€ Do an about-face, because that’s really what repentance means. Repentance in the original language of the Bible means to change your mind, to change your heart and your mind about your sin, to do an about-face in regard to your sin. To change your mind about the things that you do that violate God’s will for your life. To change your mind about those things that you fail to do, how you fail to joyfully and faithfully carry out God’s will for your life.

Do an about-face. That means to no longer find pleasure in sinning, to no longer find pleasure in the laziness to carry out God’s will for your life. To change your mind about those things so that you no longer think that simply by trying your hardest or doing your best to be a good person that somehow this will cause God to do an about-face toward you.

John says to you and to me, ā€œRepent for the forgiveness of your sins.ā€ Do an about-face and turn from your sin—but turn toward something, toward someone—to that person who has sunk into the depths of your sin, your guilt, your death, and your hell, and who has left it entombed in his grave forever.

Just as the Arizona in the waters of Pearl Harbor serve as a reminder of that awful day of death, so also the waters of your baptism serve as a reminder of that awful day of what Christ did for you: that he has drowned your sin, your death, and your hell. Let the waters of your baptism be that very real reminder of the promise that Christ has made you not just to drown your sins and your death with him on the cross, but also to raise you up to new life.

Repent, turn from your sin, turn to the cross, but then turn again. Do another about-face to go and live that life of forgiveness that Christ has earned for you.

And so when you consider the events of December 7th, 1941, or you consider the events of a 9/11 or whatever disaster comes to your mind, let it be a reminder to you and to me to do an about-face, to repent, so that when Christ calls us home to heaven, however he decides to call us home to heaven through death, you and I will go through life confident and unfearingly knowing that when we meet our Maker and see him face to face, he will welcome us home to heaven with a smile because of what Christ has done for us.

Prayer:
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming give us strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world. We pray, Lord Jesus, that you would work through our nation’s Homeland Security and armed forces to protect our borders. Keep our citizens safe so that we might live in peace, faithfully carry out our individual vocations, and joyfully share your Word with others. In your name I pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Thankful – November 29, 2024




Based on Philippians 1:3-6



This is Thanksgiving weekend, and I wanted to take some time to express thanksgiving for all the things God has blessed me with and the ways I’ve seen him bless you in your lives and your vocations.

To do that, I’d like to look at the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In chapter one, in the first few verses, he says this: ā€œI thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesusā€ (Philippians 1:3-6).

The things that the apostle Paul shares with this congregation in Philippi are the things that I want to share with you—that every time I think of you, as Paul says, I thank my God for you. For the partnership that we enjoy in the gospel, the fact that we are united by one Baptism in one Lord Jesus Christ, in that one true faith, united by that one hope of eternal life in heaven and having the sure certainty of that resurrection from the dead.

And the unity that we enjoy, that partnership in the gospel that we have as believers in Christ, is shown in the way that we worship together, the way that we pray together and pray for each other, the way that we encourage one another, the way that we study God’s Word together, and the ways that we love each other.

I’ve written out a list of things that I’m thankful for from this past year, and I want to share those things with you. First of all, I’m thankful for the number of people that God has put into my life this past year through personal visits, phone calls, e-mails, and video chats. I started to count, and I lost track.

I’m thankful to God for the number of active duty, reserve, and National Guard troops; veterans and civilians; and lay people who have been trained as distinctive religious group leaders and religious lay leaders. I’m thankful that you have the strong desire to make sure that God’s Word is provided in places that I can’t go and that our WELS pastors can’t go. You’re making that happen.

I’m thankful for the number of parents who have filled out referrals for their children through our website, because that says to me that you desire Word and sacrament to be provided for your child as they begin their vocation as a warfighter in our nation’s military. And I’m thankful for the number of high school seniors that have filled out that referral for themselves because that says to me that you want to stay connected to Christ as you go through basic training, through your individual training afterwards, and wherever God leads you through the military.

I’m thankful for the number of warfighters who update their contact info when they PCS, when they deploy. Because, again, it shows me that you are concerned about the spiritual care that you receive. By updating your information through our website, that helps us keep you connected to our WELS pastors or to other WELS members to stay connected to Christ. I’m thankful for that.

I’m thankful for the number of veterans who have reached out who are thankful for these devotions. I didn’t know this, but there’s a group of veterans who meet regularly for coffee in a restaurant, and they either watch the devotions or print them off and they discuss them as part of their group encouragement to one another. I’m thankful that these devotions are being used that way.

I’m thankful for you, the warfighters and spouses who have trusted me enough to share your story with me and have shared your weaknesses and your failures and your joys and your victories. And I’m thankful for the number of families who have let me in and have made me part of your family.

I’m thankful for the number of single warfighters who have brought me in as part of their life and have entrusted their story to me, so that we might enjoy mutual encouragement through the Word of God.

I’m thankful for the number of spouses who have sacrificed their careers to support their spouse during their military career and have found joy in the honorable and often overlooked and underappreciated vocation of homemaker. My prayer for you is that you continue to find strength and joy in that honorable vocation.

I’m thankful for the number of veterans and warfighters who have been so patient with me, taking me by the hand and patiently instructing me so I can better understand the military mindset, so I can better serve you and equip our pastors and our congregations to better serve you with Word and sacrament.

I’m thankful for the number of doors that have been opened for me, for our pastors, and for our congregations to reach military members and their families on post, on base, and in our communities.

I’m thankful for the number of military chaplains who have opened doors for me and our WELS pastors and our congregations, so that again, our people can be better served by Word and sacrament.

I’m thankful for the number of gifts that have been given by thankful hearts, not only to our ministry but even to me personally—like the Rangers coffee mug that I recently received as a gift. Every time I use it or other gifts that I’ve received, it gives me the opportunity to pause and pray for this person and the people that support this person. So thank you for those gifts.

And thank you also for the number of prayers that have been spoken on behalf of this ministry, that have been spoken on behalf of me and my family, that have been spoken for our pastors and for our congregations.

I’m thankful for the number of letters and e-mails and texts. They are so encouraging, and I thank you for them.

I’m thankful for the number of experiences that God has allowed me to have this past year. There are too many to list, so I’m going to pick just one. It’s jumping from 12,500 feet with the U.S. Army Golden Knights in Fayetteville, North Carolina. I thank Larissa and her pastor, Pastor Glende, for making that happen.

I’m thankful for the number of people that you have introduced to me—people whom you’ve identified as people who need to hear about Jesus. And I’m thankful for the number of people that you have led to Jesus—the number of spouses and battle buddies and children and parents and friends that you have brought to hear about Jesus. I pray that you continue to scatter that seed of the gospel so that many more souls might be touched by the gospel, and I pray that God would make those seeds grow.

And finally, I’m thankful for our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ, who continues to lead us in spiritual battle, who continues to lead us through spiritual battle, who will continue to lead us until we reach those peaceful shores of heaven.

I want to close this devotion today with the words of the apostle Paul.

Prayer:
ā€œAnd this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of Godā€ (Philippians 1:9-11).

Lord Jesus, this weekend we also celebrate the birthday of our nation’s Civil Air Patrol. From before their official creation in 1948 and continuing through today, members of the Civil Air Patrol have carried out emergency services and disaster relief missions around our nation. Keep these citizen volunteers faithful and safe as they search for and find the lost. Provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep our homeland safe. In your name I pray. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – Eyes on the Skies – November 22, 2024




Based on Jude 20, 21



As I’ve listened to our war fighters, those who are both deployed and preparing to deploy, one of the things they’ve shared with me is that there’s a sort of pivot when it comes to battle planning—that training for battle and planning for battle looks a little bit different than it has in the past. We’ve seen this in the war between Russia and Ukraine, between Israel and Iran and the Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Oman with drone warfare.

This has changed the way we plan for battle. While our Marines and soldiers pound the ground, our Air Force and Navy and Space Force look to the skies. How do we deal with this new threat of drone attacks?

All this talk of war and preparing for war reminds us of Jesus’ words that in the end times there will be wars and rumors of wars. But he says this should not alarm us. He says instead to use these events as reminders to keep our eyes on the skies, not looking for incoming drone attacks, but looking to the skies for his salvation, for our salvation for eternal life. To look to the skies for Jesus to come with his angels and bring us to everlasting life, where there will be no more wars and no more killing and no more death, but only peace and to be with Jesus forever.

The way we keep our eyes on the skies is by keeping ourselves busy with those things that remind us of that great day that is to come. Our encouragement today is from the book of Jude, and I encourage you to read the entire book. It’s only 25 verses, but I want to focus on just two of the verses, verses 20 and 21. There Jude tells us, ā€œKeep yourselves in God’s loveā€ (verse 21).

You might ask the question, ā€œWell, how can I keep myself in God’s love? Does God love me less at times? Are there things that I need to do so God might love me more?ā€ Is that what Jude is saying when he tells us to keep yourselves in God’s love? Not at all. God loves you unconditionally, and that is seen in his Son on the cross.

But sometimes we forget that. So keep yourselves in God’s love, Jude tells us. And he tells us to do that by doing three things: by building, by praying, and by waiting.

First of all, he says, keep yourselves in God’s love ā€œby building yourselves up in your most holy faithā€ (verse 20). You see, your enemy, the devil, loves to dive into your world just like an enemy drone would dive in from the skies so he might bring chaos into your life. And as you focus on that chaos, your eyes are distracted from Jesus’ love for you. So Jude says to build yourselves up in your most holy faith. How do we do that? Read the Word, listen to the Word, study the Word, sing the Word, share the Word, remember the Word. For it is in the Word that God reminds you again and again of his unconditional love for you in Christ Jesus.

Secondly, Jude says, keep yourselves in God’s love by ā€œpraying in the Holy Spiritā€ (verse 20). God speaks to you in his Word. Respond to him and talk to him in your prayers. Are you anxious about wars and rumors of wars? Then pray about it. Pray to him in confidence. Pray knowing that you pray to the King of kings and Lord of lords, the God, the Lord who loves you unconditionally, who will come again in the skies with his angels to bring you home to heaven, who loves to listen to your prayers and to act on your behalf in response to your prayers.

So keep yourselves in God’s love by building, by praying, and finally, by waiting. Jude writes, ā€œWait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal lifeā€ (verse 21). It often feels that this world is careening toward self-destruction, from the awful things that we as human beings do to each other to the destructive forces of natural disasters. It doesn’t feel like there’s much we can do to stop any of it.

So, Jude says, just wait. Wait for God’s love for you. Wait for that day when he comes from the skies in his love and mercy to bring you home to eternal life in heaven. Keep your eyes on the skies by building, by praying, and by waiting.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we pray that you use your almighty power to bring an end to the conflicts around the world—between Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Iran and Hezbollah, to the countries in Africa, to Haiti, to the threats from China and North Korea.

But Lord, in your wisdom, we know that you have used nations and leaders in wars and conflicts to advance your kingdom of grace. And so in the midst of these conflicts, we pray, open doors for your people to bring the hope of Christ to those who are suffering the ravages of war.

And now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.




Military Devotion – You Know the Outcome – November 15, 2024




Based on Daniel 12:1-3



I’m writing this devotion on November 5th. And since this devotion will be sent on November 15th, you probably voted in the recent election. And either you went in person or, like me and my wife, voted a couple weeks early. We received our ballots in the mail and dropped them off in a box in San Diego County.

So you know the outcome of the election already since it’s now November 15th. How do you feel about the outcome?

I was in Washington, D.C., a couple of weeks ago, and I asked a senior officer that same question about the election. I said, ā€œCan I ask you a question? Don’t feel that you have to answer it.ā€

And he said, ā€œNo, I’m glad you asked it because, yes, I do pay attention to the election because of my job in counterintelligence and the assets that we have in near-peer competitor countries. We need to let them know what’s going on because this determines troop movement, and it determines where our people are because other countries react differently to different administrations in the White House.ā€

You know the outcome already. How do you feel about that?

You might have mixed emotions, depending on which side of the aisle you are on, depending on if you watch a lot of Fox News or CNN or MSNBC. Or maybe you try to stay in the middle and find a news agency that just reports the facts, which doesn’t lean one way or the other—but then that’s hard to find.

How have you reacted? This is what I do. The month before a major election, I read the book of Daniel, because it reminds me that God already knows the outcome. As you read the book of Daniel, you sit back in amazement and see how God moves and shakes and shapes nations to do his will. Daniel reminds me that no matter who is in charge—or who thinks they’re in charge—it is our God, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He uses his faithful people in his service in government to help carry out his will and serve faithfully in that vocation in the government.

Allow me to share the reading for this coming Sunday, Daniel chapter 12: ā€œAt that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and everā€ (verses 1-3).

What God tells us in the book of Daniel is that things will be bad for God’s people. They’ve always been bad. Since the time of the Garden of Eden, there’s been animosity and enmity between God’s holy people and those who oppose God’s holy people.

And you’ve experienced this in your own family, among your friends, among the people that you work with, even in our government. There will always be people who oppose God’s will and God’s people.

But in the end, God knows the outcome. He tells us that in the end, the archangel Michael, the commander of the angel armies of heaven, will arise and protect his people. He will deliver us.

God’s got his angels watching over us and protecting us, no matter what happens in an election year. But here’s the other thing. It says, ā€œThere will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until thenā€ (verse 1a). This shouldn’t alarm us when these things happen, because God has told us they will right in his Word.

But here’s the thing. God knows the outcome. He says, ā€œAt that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be deliveredā€ (verse 1b). That’s you, and that’s me. You know your name is written in God’s book because he has told you so, and you believe it, and you trust it. Because in the waters of your baptism, God has taken your name and has written it down in his family ledger.

It reminds me that a couple of generations ago, it was very popular to have a family Bible. And in the front of that Bible was the family tree. When a new infant was born, that name was written in the front of that family Bible and then passed on to the next generation. Your name was part of the family
tree.

God has done that for you, but in his book, in heaven, that is you. And everyone whose name is found written in that book will be delivered. And here’s what he says: ā€œMultitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting lifeā€ (verse 2). That’s you. You already know the outcome of what’s going to happen to you. Your body will rise from the dead, and then he says that you will shine like the brightness of the heavens, like the stars forever and ever. You know the outcome.

You already know the outcome of the election as I sit here and write this devotion on November 5th. You already know the outcome with what’s going to happen to nations at the end of time. You already know the outcome of what’s going to happen to you. So rest in those promises. No matter how you feel about the outcome of this election, rest in those promises.

And my encouragement to you is to go back and read the book of Daniel this month. And if in reading the book of Daniel with all of the visions, you’re trying to figure out what it all means, then I encourage you to order the People’s Bible commentary on the book of Daniel from Northwestern Publishing House. Go to nph.net and search for the People’s Bible: Daniel.

Read Daniel this month, and rest in those promises that God knows the outcome.

Prayer:
Lord and ruler of nations, you tell us not to trust in mortal princes but to place our faith in you. By your most holy and powerful Word, strengthen our resolve to do that more and more. Help us to be mindful, as your children, of your desire that we pay proper respect and honor to our nation’s newly elected officials because they draw their authority from you. Guide them with your eternal wisdom and use them for your holy purposes. In the name of Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.



Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.