Archive for category: Military Devotions

When the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop….
Ecclesiastes 12:3

It wasn’t just their haircuts that marked them as military when they came into Walmart. Backs straight, stomachs flat, muscles taut—they were standing tall and strong.

He wasn’t. Shoulders slumped a little. Hands shook a little. And his feet shuffled.

He smiled to see them. Once, he had been like them. He still felt a kinship. Once, he too had worn the uniform. At one time he had rappelled with ease. Once upon a time, he had jumped out of airplanes.

Now, he sits on a stool and says, “Hello!” as people enter the store.

Now he is only an elderly greeter.

Thirty years ago, he was in control of his life—so he thought. Thirty-five years ago, his strength and skill could overcome any trouble—so he thought. Forty years ago, he knew he needed no one’s help. He knew he needed no God.

That was not smart.

By divine inspiration, the smartest man ever was prompted to write the words, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’…” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Such wise words demand our attention.

We might not be able to predict future world events, but we surely can foresee a certainty in our life. Unless we die young, we will grow old. We will grow feeble. And then we will die.

The 12th chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes is worth reading at any age, but especially when we are young and healthy. It forces us to put our life into perspective.

With dramatic wording, Solomon describes how it is to grow old: when life is no longer bright; when chewing is difficult; when eyesight fades and sounds grow faint; and when one drags himself through the day.

His words, “when the strong man stoops” make us think of that former paratrooper now sitting on a stool in Walmart.
And then what? “The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

A depressing picture. No wonder Solomon laments, “Meaningless! Meaningless!” “Everything is meaningless!”

Our skills and strength, our health and vitality, our whole life is, indeed, meaningless—but only if it is lived without God.
It’s true, we are only dust. But that is not the whole story.

“Remember your Creator!” We are not just some organism brought to life by a fluke. We are the handiwork of the eternal God. He gave us the gift of life for a purpose. From him come our strengths and skills. To him should be given our lives filled with thanks and faithfulness.

Old age is not our master. Frailty is not our endgame. The One who said, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19) also said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…” (John 11:25).

But he does not condemn his servants to a miserable existence until they finally deploy to heaven. The body may weaken and fail, but the soul, the “real us,” can grow stronger. Our spirits can soar, even if our shoulders sag.

This is his promise: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Let the young remember their Creator. He alone is their strength and their life. Let the old remember their Creator. He alone is their strength and their life.

The time will surely come when strong men stoop.

But we will overcome.

Prayer: Eternal Father, strong to save, show us the picture of our lives. Point out the bleakness of our inherent frailty. But show us, as well, the brightness of your glory that lifts us above and beyond the strains of life to soar on high. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia….
Acts 16:6,7

God says, “No!” more often than we probably realize.

We quickly think of his commands that say no to lying, stealing, cursing, and the rest of his laws. We accept that these are given for our good, as well as to glorify him.

Seldom, however, do we give thought to the way the Lord controls the flow of our lives by other means. Yet, sometimes it can be downright disturbing to realize how little control we actually have over what happens in our lives.

So what if we decide never to have cancer, and never to be in an auto accident, and always to be successful? What power do we have over such things? Very little.

The best plans and efforts are often overridden by forces we cannot control.

This doesn’t mean we have no say in how our life unfolds. We can make all sorts of decisions—and we should. We can even decide to defy God’s laws—and we should not.

Still, despite all the freedom in our decision-making, it remains clear that someone much greater can step in at any time to change our plans and override our decisions.

That someone is the Savior who loves us. As children of the heavenly Father, we even invite this interference when we pray: “Deliver us from evil” and “Thy will be done.”

These petitions are granted even when we are planning to do good. Even then, the answer may be, “No!” We learn this from the life of the apostle Paul.

The command of Jesus to his followers was: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….” Thus, it may strike us as strange that he prevented his faithful apostle from trying to do just that on some occasions, in some places.

The apostle Paul was in modern Turkey, where he had established congregations at places like Galatia and the city of Ephesus. It was only natural for him to expand the work in the nearby places of Asia and Bithynia near the Black Sea. He planned to do that.

But God said, “No!”

Why would that be? We can only guess.

But soon afterward, he used a vision to instead call this missionary across the Aegean Sea to Macedonia, where he founded the famous congregations at Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea Athens, and Corinth.

Jesus wasn’t forbidding mission work. He just had a different plan for the spread of the gospel.

That’s the way it is in our lives. Often God has a different plan. Our plans may not be bad ones, but his are always better.

Always.

By looking back over our lives, we probably are able to see how an unexpected turn of events accomplished something good. At the time, we might have felt frustrated or frightened. Only from a distance can we better see how good it was to be guided by heavenly hands.

After all, we must admit that his plan of salvation was perfect, and exactly what we needed. So are all of his plans for us.

Even when he says, “No!”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes we pray, “Lead thou on.” It is good for us to do that. It is good for you to lead us. When the things of our lives seem out of our hands, remind us that they are still in yours. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.
1 Kings 18:20

Sometimes our great mistake is not in saying the wrong thing. It’s in saying nothing.

This was the case when Israelites were asked to say if they would follow the LORD or Baal.

To their shame, they said nothing.

It was a sad state of affairs when Ahab and Jezebel, the king and queen of Israel, officially sanctioned the heathen god, Baal. Worship of that idol involved ritualistic prostitution and the sacrifice of babies. Strangely, it was appealing to Israel. Defiance of the Lord always is.

It wasn’t a subtle temptation. It was a clear-cut, in-your-face challenge to the worship of the Holy One of Israel. As the prophet Elijah made clear, it presented an either-or decision. Peaceful coexistence of the two was not an option.

Yet, on this day, the people were not willing to immediately make that choice. They weren’t sure which one they should acknowledge as master.

They knew that the priests of Baal were many and powerful. To speak against Baal was to place one’s life at risk. Besides, Baal worship had become commonplace in Israel.

And yet, they knew about the Lord God. The writings of Moses had told them about his power in creation; his judgments against sin; his forbidding the worship of false gods; and his promised blessing for those who loved and served him.

But face-to-face with the forces of Baal, they wilted.

They said nothing.

It pains us to hear of this because we understand them. We know what it is like to be put on the spot by those who flaunt the power of the Lord God. We may not join in their defiance of the Lord of glory, but sometimes we aren’t brave enough to admit we follow him.

It is easier, it is safer, then, to say nothing.

In his mercy, the Lord may allow us to get away with it. He may not strike us dead on the spot. He may give us another chance to show our faith, as he did to these people.

Elijah demanded a showdown. Two bulls were to be killed and placed upon a pile of wood on an altar. To the priests of Baal, he said, “You call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God.”

This time the people did say something. They told Elijah, “What you say is good.”

It was good, but not for the Baal worshipers. All day those priests prayed, then cut themselves to demand the idol’s attention. Nothing.

Elijah taunted, “Shout louder! Maybe he is sleeping.” Still nothing.

When evening came, Elijah built an altar for a sacrifice to the Lord, put slaughtered bulls upon it, and poured water over everything—again and again. Then he called upon the Lord to answer his prayer.

The result? “Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.”

Now the people were willing to say something more: “When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!'” (1 Kings 18:39)

Finally!

We have seen an even greater demonstration of his power, have we not? The Holy Spirit has shown us the Son of God dying for us, rising from the dead, then rising into heaven.

So, what will we do when asked to say if we stand with him or against him?

Surely, we will not say nothing.

Surely we will not say nothing.

Prayer: Great and gracious God, we blush to think of the times when we failed to speak up for you. We know that you do not need us to defend you. Rather, we have the need to admit that we follow you. We need to confess, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!” Because it is true. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11

Wake up an old Veteran in the middle of the night and ask for his military service number—and don’t be surprised if he rattles it off without hesitation.

If we ask how he can do this, he might reply, “I once learned it by heart.”

He would be right, but he would not be alone. Most people have learned important information by heart. This means that they have stored the information so deeply into their memory bank that it is not flushed out by the flood of all newer information.

We might say it is hidden in their heart.

That’s what this psalmist says about words from the Lord his God. This is something we should be able to say.

The human body is an astounding creation. The best medical minds have still not unraveled all of its mysteries. Each new discovery opens the door to greater wonders. We agree with the psalmist who wrote: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).

One of the wonderful features provided for humans is our ability to absorb and store things. We absorb oxygen into our bloodstream from the air we breathe into our lungs. We absorb Vitamin D into our bones from the rays of the sun. And we absorb thoughts from the sights and sounds presented to us.

Some of what we absorb stays with us. If it is something bad, it will hurt us. If good, it will help.

We want to stay away from toxic sources. Some of them will damage our bodies; some, our minds; and still others, our souls.

The psalmist is most concerned about his soul. He knows how easily he can be led astray by the sinful world around him. He knows how attractive sin is; how misleading temptations can be.

He counters these threats by building up his spiritual defenses. He stores up supplies of the words of God for the day when his soul comes under heavy attack.

To the surprise of the Allies, days of constant artillery fire did not destroy the enemy on islands like Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The fact that our troops waded ashore unopposed led to false expectations. In vast networks of interconnecting caves, the enemy waited with vast stores of weapons and ammunition.

We deplore the bloody consequences for our troops, but we must admire the tactics. A safely-stored reserve of weapons makes for a strong defense.

In spiritual warfare, as in physical warfare, preparation is vital. Many are the warriors who explained, “My training kicked in!” as reason for survival.

When threatened, we reach deep down inside for strength and direction. Without hesitation, we pull up what has been placed there earlier.

Satan does not fear our feeble attempts to defend ourselves. He scoffs at our determination to remain faithful to our Lord. He knows he can outsmart and outlast us. “On earth is not his equal…”

He trembles, however, before the words of his maker and judge. He flees when the sword of the Spirit is pulled out.

Now is the time for the words of God to be hidden away in our hearts!

Now is the time.

Prayer: God of greatness and glory, our strength is feeble, and our danger is great. We often do not even see the enemy attacking before we are being overrun. Give us strength from within. Place into our hearts your powerful Word of Life. Keep us safe. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3

Basic training, field exercises, and actual combat build unity. Bands of brothers grow from such things. The bond of war is strong.

This is true not only for humans who wage war against each other. It applies, as well, to those who war against God. And of such, there are many.

They may be divided by nationalities and politics, by economic levels and languages. But they quickly unite when they have a chance to challenge the holy One and defy his laws.

How foolish! How tragic.

To those who would fight against him, the warning is given: “Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from the fearful presence of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!” (Isaiah 2:10). The holy God can easily destroy any who oppose him. He has done this to kings, to armies, to nations—and to legions of rebellious angels.

There is no chance of hiding from him. The only hope lies in his mercy.

That’s why the most important news of all time is God’s Christmas declaration to the human race: Your warfare is over!

We are not talking about a negotiated peace; a truce between antagonists; an armistice. This is the unilateral declaration of peace by the only one who can make it happen. This bond of peace has been established by heaven’s Prince of Peace.

The bond of war is strong. The bond of peace is stronger.

God’s bond of peace is woven with strands of red and white—of blood and purity. The holy blood of Jesus bought us this peace. It’s the peace that transcends all understanding.

Through his prophet he invites: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

The Holy Spirit is the one who enables us to accept that offer. By Word and sacrament, he creates and sustains the faith that grabs hold of the lifeline thrown to us from heaven.

The Holy Spirit ties us to our Savior God with the blood-bought bond of peace. With the same bond, he ties together those who share that life-giving faith.

The apostle Paul reminded the Ephesian Christians of the unity that was theirs. They had, “…one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all…” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

That’s some unity! It’s the same unity that we possess.

Satan wants us to forget this. He points at the differences among us. We don’t always think the same. We don’t have the same personalities and backgrounds. We don’t always agree on issues.

The Holy Spirit would remind us that differences are not bad if they are not displeasing to the Lord. He made each one of us different so that we can complement each other. One person is strong in an area where another one is not. This makes a team stronger. It makes a family stronger.

And we are the family of God.

About us, we are told, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

The bond of war is strong. The bond of peace is stronger.

We agree with those who have sung the words before us:

“Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.”
(Christian Worship 494:1-3)

We make those words our own.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Revelation 12:7-9

If angels ask, “What’s wrong with humans? Why all the fighting? Why did some have to wade through bloody waters at a place called Omaha Beach? Why did some raised as Lutherans try to kill them there? Why the ovens at places like Dachau, with human ashes rising into the sky?”

“Why do angels have to look down on such things?”

Would we just shrug our shoulders? Would we dare admit the killing still goes on? What would we say about screaming matches in American households? How could we explain parents killing their own children? What excuse could we give for suicides?

Sometimes we refer to man’s inhumanity to man. Is that the answer? Is it inhuman when humans act this way? Or, is it just human? Is it only natural for us to fight and kill?

What should we say if angels ask, “What’s wrong with you?”

Maybe we should tell them the truth. Maybe we should answer, “You already know! After all, war started up there among you—and it landed here on earth.”

We know little about life in heaven, and less about angels who dwell there. We know only a few of their names. We know of a Gabriel. We learn about Michael. We are told about one called Satan.

We are told about a war in heaven.

We might ask, “If heaven is absolutely perfect, why did some angels rebel?”

They might ask, “If earth was absolutely perfect, why did the first humans rebel?” And then, they might ask the embarrassing question, “If the Creator God loves the world so much, why did you rebel?”

What would we say? Must we admit that rebellion is in our nature? But if our sinful nature has been washed clean in the waters of Baptism, if we are now God’s own child, why do we so often continue to rebel?

To the point, why do we so often switch sides? Why do we find ourselves so often fighting alongside of the forces of darkness against Michael and his angels?

What if angels ask, “Why do you go to war against the merciful and holy God?”

Again, our answer can be: “You should know!”

The holy angels know how powerful demonic forces can be. After all, devils are still angels. They can read thoughts. They can suggest evil. They can tempt. The Bible warns that their leader is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). In the hymn “A Mighty Fortress,” we warn about the old evil foe. We confess, on earth is not his equal.

Good thing we have holy angels fighting for us! Better yet, the Lord of heaven and earth is on our side. We sing, “for us fights the Valiant One whom God himself elected.” No one can pluck us from his father’s hand. That’s his promise.

The Christian would need to turn traitor to lose this protection.

We have the answer. When angels ask “What’s wrong with humans?” we tell them, “The problem is sin. The solution is our Savior—the One who sends you to guard and keep us.”

And then we can add, “Keep standing guard over us until you can escort us to our father’s house.”

Prayer: Redeemer of the world and Savior of sinners, you have taught us how sin entered the world and how it has infected us. The fall of angels into sin warns us. The payment for our sin comforts us. Deploy your holy angels to guard and keep us as we walk the dangerous paths on earth. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:7

He didn’t want to go to war.

But on his 18th birthday he registered with the county draft board. They assigned him a number. When that number came up, he left behind the places and people he loved. He learned how to march in formation; how to obey orders; how to fire his weapon—how to kill.

He didn’t want to go to war. But he was honor-bound.

He had been raised that way. He had been taught to honor his father and mother, and all others in authority. He knew to honor the Lord his God above all.

He didn’t want to go to war. But he was honor-bound.

Now he is home again. You can find him washing dishes at a local restaurant. He came back with a limp and a cane. He left his bright future behind with the Viet Cong. It’s the tormenting memories that followed him home. Firefights invade his mind most every night. Brothers-in-arms die before his eyes again and again. In Vietnam he lost the control of his mind.

But he kept his honor.

He did what was asked of him. He did his duty. Today, many regard the concepts of duty and honor as outdated and naïve. He does not. His parents did not. His God never will.

Honor has two sides. It is gained, and it is given. The person doing the right thing, no matter the cost, gains honor. Those who see that happen, give honor to such a one.

On Memorial Day we give honor to those who deserve it.

On the opening day of deer season you can find him sitting next to his favorite runway. In 50 years he has never fired a shot. He is not there to kill. He is there for the sights, the sounds, the smells—and the memories. Among those pine trees, his mind goes back to better times. For a little while, he forgets war.

On Memorial Day he will watch the parade from his safe spot already picked out at the cemetery. He will look at the markers where loved ones and friends are already buried. Where a small flag flutters, he will read again the notation of battalion or squadron or airwing. He will listen to the words spoken and the three-volley salute.

He has come to honor the memory of those who are to be honored.

There are those who question the phrase, For God and Country. But for the one in service to the Lord, serving one’s country is a way to serve one’s God.

We know wars all too well. We know their cause. We know they will keep occurring until Jesus stops all clocks and calendars.

But we also know that the powers that be are established by God. He sets up these authorities for the benefit of his people. He uses them to deliver us from evil.

People who step forward to answer the call to defend our nation deserve the honor we give them. We owe it.

We do not whitewash the picture of their lives. They, too, have sinned. We do say, “These people did their duty. That was honorable.”

When we honor the fallen on Memorial Day, we also honor those who served with them, who paid a price, but lived.

He didn’t want to go to war. But he did. He was honor-bound.

Prayer: Lord of the nations, we watch the waving flags, and we listen to taps. But we cannot see the pain that you see in the hearts of those who mourn. We deplore war. But we thank you for those who have gone to war so that we might live in peace. By honoring them, we wish to honor you. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:25

It began in Eden. She would have been the perfect woman; the perfect wife; and the perfect mother. Instead, she became a criminal and was sentenced to die after a life with pain. The death sentence was promptly transferred to another. The pain was not.

Her husband also came under judgment. He, too, would know pain, but not like hers. He would never know the pain of childbirth. He would never know the suffering of a mother’s heart. No man ever would.

She first felt childbirth pain when Cain was born. But holding the dear child replaced the pain. It returned with vengeance when she stood at the grave of her second son—knowing that her first son was a murderer.

We are told, “Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living” (Genesis 3:20).

That means she is our mother—and our mother’s mother. That means Eve’s life reflects a shadow for all human lives, especially the lives of mothers. It is a painful picture.

We think of all the painful times when mothers had to send their children off into the care of others. Hannah gave up small Samuel so he could minister to the Lord under Eli. We hear, “Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice” (1 Samuel 2:19). We wonder if she cried on the trip home.

How many mothers have waited in vain for their son to return from battle? We hear,

“Through the window peered Sisera’s mother;
behind the lattice she cried out,
‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?
Why is the clatter of his chariots delayed?’” (Judges 5:28)

By this time, Sisera, the commander of a massive Canaanite army, was counted among the fallen. If he had been a modern American Soldier, his mother might have received a folded flag and the words, “On behalf of a grateful nation.”

Many such flags have been handed out.

Our hearts must go out to such mothers. It even pains us to think of the mothers of our enemies that have watched in vain for their dear child’s return.

But none can compare to the pain of the mother from Nazareth who, along with her sister and some friends, watched the execution of her son during darkness at midday.

The crowd that gathered at Golgotha on that day saw only the painful sight of torture and dying. They had no idea that they were on the sidelines of the greatest battle ever fought—the showdown between Good and Evil, between Death and Life.

They did not realize that the destiny of the human race lay in the outcome. Rebellious angels had been condemned to forever-abandonment from the only source of peace and joy. Would rebellious humans (and all were rebellious) have any hope to escape forever-pain?

They would. They did. But the warning to Mary would also come true: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35).

God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus. God chose our mother for us. We brought her pain. Some was unavoidable. Some was piled onto her by our words and actions.

The Bible says we owe her honor. Shame on us if we do not give it.

Maybe on a Mother’s Day we can send a card or a letter addressed to: “Dear Mom”—if she is still living. If she is not, if she has already gone on ahead of us, then we will need to wait.

Either way, the best Mother’s Day will be celebrated in her new heavenly home. There, we will not need to say, “Happy Mother’s Day.” It will always be happy.

She will forever be our dear Mom.

Prayer: Eternal Lord of life, we thank you for giving us life. We thank you for our mothers. But most of all, we thank you for offering eternal life to our mothers. Help us to love, honor, and appreciate them until we stand with them to see you in glory. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.
Leviticus 16:10

We like to use scapegoats. Since we are reluctant to face up to our own failures, we are happy to find someone or something else to blame. Who can blame us?

It might surprise us to learn that even God made use of a scapegoat. Not for his own shortcomings. Ours! He foreshadowed this in the Old Testament and made it real in the New.

His Son became the greatest one.

With the celebration of Easter over, it’s a good time to take one more look at the center cross on Golgotha, and review the question of, “Why?”

The answer? Jesus is our scapegoat.

The Law of God given on Mount Sinai details how sin will be atoned for. Vivid illustrations paint a bloody picture of innocent animals being killed. They hammer in the lesson that for the human race to escape the punishment it deserves, there must be a sacrifice of innocent life.

Lambs were common victims. Unlike bulls, which were also to be sacrificed, lambs never threaten humans. When killed, they do not squeal in pain. They are the picture of innocence.

When John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God!” the message was clear in the minds of everyone who knew the Old Testament.

Goats were also sacrificed as sin offerings. They, too, were substitutes.

On the great Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies and sacrifice a young bull to make atonement for himself and his household. Then, two goats were presented. One was to be slaughtered. The other was spared. But some say that was a fate worse than death.

That one became the scapegoat.

The killing of an animal as a sacrifice was gruesome. Most modern Americans would be disturbed by it. But the fate of the scapegoat was no less unsettling.

That one was to be abandoned in the desert wilderness.

A person coming upon it was to show no mercy. It had become something detestable. It was to be left to die alone.

Glancing back to dark Golgotha even through the sunlight of Easter, our ears can still pick up an echo of the desperate scream, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

And a wave of survivor’s guilt may wash over us.

The warrior who survives a firefight that took the lives of friends may wonder why he was spared—may feel guilty about still being alive. So, we may begin to wonder why we were spared the wrath of the Holy One when we know we are guilty. Here is our answer.

Jesus was the scapegoat.

We walk away from Easter knowing that God will not abandon us. We will not die—but live.

We walk on in life with the sober realization: “I don’t deserve it.”

Prayer: Savior God and Life-Giver, the bright dawn of Easter still sheds light into our life. We can walk on knowing that all is well. It must be. It will be. You transferred our guilt onto Jesus. Let us live the rest of our lives in the warm glow of Easter morning. Remind us again and again, that death cannot hold us. Thank you, Jesus, for being the scapegoat. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Matthew 21:8,9

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.
Luke 23:26,27

It seems that everyone likes a parade. People stand to see flags waving and troops marching. People cheer.

But people will also stand to see a line of cars with lights on being led by a hearse. No one cheers then. Some might weep.

The account of the last week before the crucifixion of Jesus highlights two parades. Some bystanders saw both of them. Cheers arose at the first one. Pitiful wailing marked the next one. It was the difference between a Sunday and a Friday.

It was a matter of expectations.

On Palm Sunday, the crowds were expecting the fulfillment of hopes for a life free of Roman rule—a life of riches, power and glory. They thought Jesus would bring them heaven on earth.

On Good Friday, those hopes crumbled. They wept not just for the condemned Jesus, but also for the death of their fond hopes.

When we think of Good Friday, our thoughts may quickly run to the crowds shouting “Crucify him!” But there was another group of people there. These people had pinned their hopes upon Jesus of Nazareth being the Messiah. In the words of downcast Cleopas walking to Emmaus on the evening of Easter, “But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21).

We remember the crowd that came down with Jesus from Galilee. We consider the shell-shocked disciples. We give thought to all the people in Jerusalem who expected Jesus to be their Savior.

For them, the parade to Golgotha was worse than a funeral procession. Death had not yet struck. More torture, and then dying, was yet to happen.

Where do we fit into this? We watch from a great distance in time as well as in miles. We can look in at both parades at once. We know where each of them ends.

On a Sunday, we join in the songs of “Hosanna!” The next Friday, we sing, “Lord Jesus, you are going forth for me your life to offer.”

It seems we can’t watch one of the parades without thinking of the other. And we shouldn’t.

We need to see people cheering Jesus on his way to win our salvation. We need to see people weeping for Jesus as he battles for our salvation. One parade flows into the other.

But what about a third one? Surely, the empty tomb must have caused a commotion. Would not a crowd greater than on Palm Sunday have rushed to cheer the victorious, resurrected Jesus marching through the streets of Jerusalem? Would that not be the best parade of all?

It did not happen. There was no Easter parade. There was no public victory march. After he conquered death as the King of kings and Lord of lords, he showed himself only to his believers.

One day, however, that third parade will take place. Again, some will cheer, and some will wail. But it will be a most glorious procession. We know the name of the day when this will happen. We just don’t know when that day will come. We call it the Last Day. It’s the day when the saints come marching in.

That’s a parade we don’t want to miss.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, it pains us to consider the sight of you dragging your cross to your execution. We join those who sorrow over that. It thrills us to hear that the crowds shouted your praises as you entered Jerusalem riding over palm branches. We look forward to joining with you in the final parade to glory. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

American overconfidence was mowed down by machine guns in France’s Belleau Wood.

The year was 1918. It was the first time American troops fired in anger in a war that had engulfed Europe for four years. It was America’s first taste of mechanized warfare. It was a shock to our system.

In August of 1914, troops on both sides were sent off to war with flags waving, crowds cheering—with the assurance, “ You will be home before the leaves fall.”

They weren’t. Except for those who came back in ambulances and caskets.

Americans watched the overseas carnage with apprehension that turned to determination. We grew confident that we could break that stalemate in the bloody and putrid trenches. With a popular song we announced to our allies over there, “The Yanks are coming! The Yanks are coming! And we won’t come back till it’s over over there.”

Many Yanks are still over there. Some lie in Flanders’ fields under crosses row on row. Some graves are marked with only, “Known but to God.”

In the first day of the first battle at Belleau Wood there were 1,000 American casualties. By the end of the battle, some 10,000.

American Marines and soldiers may have gained a victory there. But they also lost something: their overconfidence.

Confidence is a good thing. Training in the U.S. Armed Forces builds confidence. Experience in the field sharpens it. Pity the warrior who has no confidence in his leaders, or weapons, or his fighting ability. Pity more the one who is overconfident. For him, ruin awaits.

The apostle Paul was a bloodied warrior in battles physical and spiritual. He points to his combat ribbons:

“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked”(2 Corinthians 11:24-27).

After all that, who would blame him for being cautious—maybe a bit hesitant to engage the enemy? Waging war against enemies physical or spiritual comes at a cost. Wouldn’t Saint Paul be excused if he said he had paid enough? Since he had received so many setbacks, wouldn’t he have lost confidence?

How can he still say, “I can do everything?” Is this not foolish overconfidence?

It is not.

The weary warrior did not base his confidence upon himself, but on his God.

It was God Almighty who worked through him. He was merely a tool in the Master’s hands.

Makes us think, doesn’t it?

Are we not the same?

Prayer: Eternal Father, strong to save, without you we can do nothing. Even our next breath would be impossible without your power. But with you, nothing is impossible. We thank you for the victories in life that you have given us. Give us more of them. Remind us that anything we do that is good is worked through us by the same power that gave us life instead of death. Build up our confidence in you. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
Isaiah 66:2

“Sometimes it causes me to tremble…” thus the Old Plantation hymn declares in answer to the question, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”

Pondering the crucifixion of Jesus can have that effect. It stands written, “The wages of sin is death.” Here, we see this is true.

There was something dreadful about the execution of Jesus apart from the horror of a body hanging from nails driven into the wood. The Romans had carried out many such executions, but none quite like this.

Darkness over the land for three hours in midday? An earthquake splitting rocks when the prisoner died? Tombs breaking open and bodies of the dead coming to life? No wonder the centurion on guard duty cried out, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Surely he was…

It was enough to cause hardened soldiers to tremble.

The hymnist wrote, “You who think of sin but lightly, nor suppose the evil great—here may view its nature rightly, here its guilt may estimate.”

We have looked in at the events of Good Friday. We watch them again throughout the season of Lent. We cannot forget the images of pain, and blood, and death.

But that’s not the whole picture. We have reason to tremble before the cross, not in fear, but amazement. We are prompted to sing, “What wondrous love is this, O my soul!”

We wonder at the Father’s love for us, willing to make such a sacrifice. We stand in awe at the Son’s love for us, willing to be sacrificed. We marvel at the love the Holy Spirit shows as he gently leads us to stand in spirit before the cross and hear the words to the condemned criminal, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).

He tells us one day Jesus will speak those words to us, too.

There are those who call the Christmas story a myth and the crucifixion only a legend. We know better. Jesus said, “The words I have spoken to you—they are full of Spirit and life” (John 6:63).

We believe him.

After all, he is God. We know that. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We know that. He died so that we might live with him in glory. That we know, too.

We admit that we tend to question him when his plans contradict ours. It’s true that sometimes we strike off on our own path rather than following in his footsteps.

But in kindness, he draws us back to his Word where he shows us once again the anguish of evil and the wonder of his love.

Far be it from us to think we know better than God! Foolish it would be to believe that the path we might choose is better than the one he leads us on.

Humble? We must declare about him, “How great Thou art!”

Contrite? “Father, I have sinned.”

Blessed? “These are the ones I look on with favor…”

In Lent, in life, we are honored to be among those who tremble at his Word.

Prayer: Lord of glory you have bought us with your lifeblood as its price. Send now the Holy Spirit to keep us from throwing our inheritance away. Keep us humble. Keep us contrite. Look upon us always with your favor. And give us peace. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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 wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.
Job 38:15

We can see the picture in our mind’s eye: a clenched fist above a raised arm. It’s a show of defiance.

Admirable, if in protesting injustice. Despicable, when raised in defiance of the Sovereign Lord.

At one time, Job of Old Testament times felt that God had exposed him to some of that injustice. Was it right that all of his children died in one storm? Was it fair that he lost his crops and flocks? Did he really deserve to be afflicted with painful sores from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head?

Wasn’t God acting like a child who pulls the wings off of a fly just to watch it suffer?

Job isn’t alone in asking such questions. Many have wondered “Why do bad things happen to me when I am not at fault?” We might add, why do babies get murdered? Why do gifted athletes grow feeble? Why must everyone die?

Though we cannot change these things, we want to raise our protest. Many agree with words the poet wrote about dying: “Do not go gentle into that good night…Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

Bitter anger, fierce rage, this is the natural human reaction to unwanted events that are outside of our control.

Even if we acknowledge that no person apart from Jesus is actually good, in that all have sinned, it still bothers us to see that people who love their Savior God sometimes end up with the greatest disappointment and suffering in life.

At one point, Job said that he would like to drag God into court to have him give answer for his actions. To his surprise, God did answer. “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” he asked out of a storm cloud.

This was the beginning of a long series of questions aimed at Job. It starts, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4)

Question after question pounded in the message that Almighty God operates on a level far above human knowledge or ability. He is the creator of the stars and controller of the seas. At his command lightning strikes. Under his watch, lions are fed, and mountain goats give birth. He gives the war horse its strength and orders the eagle to fly—and much more.

Eventually, the challenge came: “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” (Job 40:2)

Not surprisingly, Job backed down: “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more” (Job 40:4).

Maybe Job had nothing more to say, but God did. The Lord continued, “Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me” (Job 41:11). The interrogation continued.

Finally, Job admitted, “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3). He added: “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6).

There is only one recourse for those who raise their clenched fist toward heaven: Repentance.

When tempted to challenge the God of grace and glory, it is best to repeat the words of Job: “I put my hand over my mouth.”

We close our mouth and listen to God. From God’s mouth comes truth and forgiveness.

Prayer: Eternal Father, strong to save, too quickly we find fault with you. Too easily we seek to justify ourselves. Too often we raise our puny fist in protest. Forgive our rebellious thoughts. Delete our empty threats. Deflate our bulging egos. Override the foolishness of our arrogance with the mercy of your holy love. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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 Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish.”
Exodus 19:20,21

We call it rubbernecking. It irritates us to be in a backup caused, not by an accident, but by people slowing up to look at a wreck on the other side of the median. Yet, when we get there, we find ourselves staring at the same sight.

It’s as if a voice inside of us is begging, “Lemme see!” We can’t seem to help ourselves.

It was the same for the mass of people immigrating from Egypt to the Land of Canaan. But no car wreck could match what they encountered. God, himself, was going to descend from heaven to present himself on a mountain they were passing by. They knew this because he called out for Moses to come up to him.

Talk about an attraction! Here was a chance to actually take a look at the Lord of glory—the creator and ruler of the universe. What would he look like? They wanted to see.

But they dared not. The penalty for even catching a glimpse of him was death.

We are not accustomed to considering the Lord our God in that light. He is this abstract person we read about in the Bible. Some view him as a grandfather smiling at the humans who gather around him.

Moses knew better. So did the Israelites when they heard the command: “Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.”

The warning was clear: “Do not come near to God!”

That sounds strange to New Testament ears. Are we not invited to come near to him with the words, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)?

Is this the same God who met Israel in the wilderness? Has he changed since then?

He is, and he has not.

From eternity to eternity, he remains the same. His fierce anger still burns against sin and death still awaits the sinner. We dare never become complacent about this.

From eternity to eternity, he remains the same. His free and faithful love still offers forgiveness and life. It should never stop amazing us.

He may be the Savior God, but he remains the holy God.

The only reason we can approach him without perishing is that the blood of his Son has covered our sin. Jesus was not allowed to draw near to his Father on Golgotha when he won for us a free pass into his presence. He took our place on the death list.

So, the Holy One of Israel invites us to draw near in love, faith, and worship.

The best spot in all of earth and heaven is found nearer to God.

We pray with the words of the old hymn:
Nearer my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, Nearer my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee. Amen.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.

There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and also killed all the nobles of Judah. Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.
Jeremiah 39:6,7

Some scenes cannot be unseen. Those who have seen the horrible often cannot get that sight out of their minds. It is burned into their memory.

For some, the unforgettable happened with a car crash, or a fire, or maybe, war. For King Zedekiah, it occurred as he was stripped of his power by the Babylonians. The last thing his eyes saw was the slaughter of his sons. His enemy could have killed him, too. But worse than death was making him live on with that memory.

We shudder at the thought. But much of the record of the descendants of Abraham causes us to shudder. Reading through that history is like watching a horror film. As one scene after another unfolds, we know that something awful is coming. The Assyrians are going to decimate the ten northern tribes. The Babylonians will invade the remaining two. Jerusalem will fall. The temple will be demolished. Then, untold thousands will be carried off to modern-day Iraq as captives—including the traumatized and now-blind King Zedekiah.

Horrible to look at, yet those are the very scenes that should be burned into memory. They teach a lesson: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

We dare never forget it.

Another picture teaches another lesson: It is a fearful thing for the living God to fall into the hands of sinners.

The Scripture screen shows a picture of ultimate horror. A bloodied man is being executed by torture. The weight of his body pulls at the nails driven through the hands. Blood trickles down from thorns pressed into the scalp. Witnesses mock. Hours pass. A mouth screams: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

This scene must be burned into memory.

If the slaughter of Zedekiah’s sons was horrible, the slaughter of God’s Son is beyond horror.

This is the cold killing that we cannot explain without admitting that we are in the picture. We are the cause. We are to blame. It teaches a lesson we dare never forget:

“You who think of sin but lightly nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly, here its guilt may estimate.”

Then, we learn that this is actually a picture of mercy! After all, we are not the ones withering under the fierce anger of justice. The bloodied One is our substitute. He was found guilty of our crimes. He was punished. We are set free.

It teaches a lesson:

“What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!”

We dare never forget it.

On its center screen Holy Writ then projects the breath-taking picture of an empty tomb with an angel saying, “He is not here, he is risen.” He is:

“Christ, the Life of all the living, Christ the Death of death, our foe.”

It teaches a lesson: We will survive death. How could we forget it?

Let that picture of Easter morning be forever burned into our memory!

The Bible paints many such pictures of our salvation’s story. Some even show the future: “Look!” we are told, “ God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’” (Revelation 21:3,4).

There, the eyes of Zedekiah can see again. There, his sons can stand alive and well. There, the captive is free, and the dead live. So do we.

Burn that vision into memory!

We pray to the Lord of life:
“Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!” Amen.
(Christian Worship 588:7)

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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.