Archive for category: Military Devotions

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:5

Military Devotion – October 25, 2020

Devotion based on Revelation 21:5

See series: Military Devotions

The phrase “the new normal” carries scary overtones. It tells the wounded warrior, “From now on, you will live with only one arm.” It tells the new widow, “The rest of your life will be without him.” Presently, we wonder if one day it will tell us, “You will always need a mask.”

We don’t like that new normal. We want the old normal back.

We aren’t the first ones to feel that way.

Imagine what it was like for Adam and Eve to wake up in a sin-cursed universe. Weeds were part of the new normal. So were arguments. So was death.

Even, so was murder. Their first-born killed his own brother.

Their joy of living was forever marred by sin and shame. In this new normal, so is ours.

Well actually, “forever” is not the right word. It may seem forever. It may last for the rest of our life on earth. But, in the end, the changed life will itself be changed. This time it will be forever.

A scary thought?

It can be. Those who see no light at the end of the tunnel of life have reason to be frightened. A voice inside of them will say, “This is not going to end well.”

No matter how much money, no matter how much power and glory, old age finally, if not tragedy beforehand, will wipe all that away.

Nothing will be left except a frail body that can no longer cling to life. “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

The new normal that our first parents brought about is streaked with sin and destined for judgment. Moses had it right: “All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan” (Psalm 90:9).

But there is more to the story.

Those who fear, love, and trust in God actually have something exciting to look forward to. The one sitting on the throne has announced: “I am making everything new!”

A new normal that is wonderful awaits us. This one will last forever and ever—and beyond.

No more changes. No more need to improvise, adapt, and overcome. We will find that we have already overcome because our Savior has overcome sin, death, and the devil.

The old order of death and loss is being replaced by a new order. The Savior God declares: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

We cannot imagine what that new life will be like. We can only take the best that this life offers—the best moments of peace, the best expressions of love, and the best times of joy—and multiply them by infinity.

The Bible describes it this way: “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 21:4).

That’s something to look forward to, not something to fear.

We want that new normal.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are with us as we walk through an earthly life that is marked with danger, death, and dread. We have heard your description of the new way of life waiting for us. It’s hard for us to even imagine it. But it doesn’t require our imagination—only our faith in you. Keep us in that faith. Prepare us for the wonderful new normal. 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.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8,9

Military Devotion – October 11, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 55:8,9

See series: Military Devotions

By nature, the human race has a problem with its creator and master. The one who carries the name, LORD, declares that he is better than us. He is more powerful (actually all-powerful), and he is more decent (actually all-holy).

The human race may be willing to grant him that. But we are quick to challenge the claim that the Lord God is omniscient, all-wise—and we are not.

He has the nerve to tell haughty humans: “You’re not so smart!”

That hurts.

We pride ourselves on what we know. We have invented complex machines. We have sent people to the moon. We are people of science. We know things.

But compared to God, we don’t know much.

We make the mistake of thinking that he thinks like we do. If the ant thinks we think like he does, he is making that same mistake. Ants are not in the same league with us.

We are not in the same league with God.

God does not think like us, nor does he act like us. We excuse sin. Sometimes, even defend it.

He does not.

He says there is only one God, yet three Persons. And we say, “One plus one plus one does not make one. We know better than that.”

Yet it is true. He is the triune God—even if we are not smart enough to understand that.

We try to measure him by our mental yardsticks. When our ruler is not long enough to reach a certain point, we say there cannot be anything beyond that.

“So, God must be wrong.” Or we take the safer approach and say, “He never really said that.”

But he says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”

He does mean this. Our inability to comprehend should not surprise us. He is God. We are not.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Our level of modern scientific knowledge allows us to understand that the distances referenced here are much greater than was realized even a century ago.

The heavens are higher than what we can see with our eyes—even higher than what our telescopes can measure. We have sent probes into space that have now traveled for decades at fantastic speeds—and they still have not reached the limit of what the Bible calls the heavens.

If we ask, “How much higher are God’s thoughts and ways than ours?” The answer is: “Compare it to how far the celestial bodies are beyond earth.”

That comparison is not merely to put us in our place. It is there to reassure us of our salvation. It verifies that the Word of God is able to deliver to our souls the gift of life eternal.

As the rain and snow come down from the clouds to bring forth seed for the sower and bread for the eater, God says, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (v.11).

And what is his purpose? That we might hear about and believe in the Son of God who died so that we might live with him beyond the stars.

We recall the words: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:19).

Now, that’s smart.

Prayer: Holy, Triune God, we must bow before you in reverence as we remember that you are the God of amazing grace. Continue to bless us in ways and means that transcend our understanding. 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.

He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13,14

Military Devotion – September 27, 2020

Devotion based on Colossians 2:13,14

See series: Military Devotions

Even a Sunday School child can tell us what was nailed to the cross on Golgotha. The hand would shoot up and the voice would call out: “Jesus!” And, of course, the child would be right.

The mental picture of Jesus being nailed to the cross has been reinforced by countless illustrations. We could give the details from memory.

But there is more.

By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul paints another picture of Golgotha on Good Friday. In this scene, Jesus is no longer hanging on the cross. Something else is nailed to the wood. It looks like writing. What could it be?

It is the written code of the Law that God had delivered to Israel so many years ago on Mount Sinai.

That Law is finished.

But wasn’t that God’s Law? Was it not holy? Was it not to be obeyed? Was something wrong with it?

No, it was perfect. But now it is canceled.

It was canceled because it has been fulfilled. It pointed ahead to a Savior.

Old Testament people could not keep that Law. None ever did. Nor could we. It only condemned. It only damned. It became a curse.

God did not change his mind about the level of holiness he demanded. He did not lower the passing grade for sanctification.

Instead, he satisfied every last piece of all the details of the deadly Law. He did it in the life of one Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus could do that because he was born holy. He was the Son of God.

Lying, stealing, envy, lust? Never happened. Idolatry, rebellion, murder? Never happened. Not in thought. Not in word. Not in deed.

That was the life of Jesus. But it was not an easy life. He groaned. He wept. He bled. He died.

And he won.

We have seen football players spike the ball after a touchdown. It serves as a testimony to their success. The goal has been scored.

Through the eyes of God, we can see Jesus slam the nails into the decree of our death and damnation. It may have looked like his bruised and bloody body was defeated as it was lowered from the cross. But his Father knew better. The Holy Spirit was not dismayed.

Satanic hordes may have jeered in celebration. But that was short-lived. By the dawn of Easter, the report spread through the dungeons of hell.

Jesus lives! Those who follow him will live also. Will live with him forever.

The news must have been numbing to the spirits in prison. More so, when Jesus made his victory lap down there before he showed himself alive on earth. We still confess, “He descended into hell.” Not to suffer. On Easter, he entered into the stronghold of Satan to demonstrate that he had won. The battle was over.

He won. We win.

Does that mean we can now ignore God’s commands? Of course not! We strive to do his will out of love for him. But failure does not condemn those who hold to Jesus as their Savior.

About that attempt of Jesus to win my salvation?

He nailed it!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, too often we live like losers. We act as though your victory over sin, death, and the devil was not won and the trophy of life eternal not handed over to us. Remind us again—and then again—that we serve in the army of the heavenly victors. Refresh our memories to the fact that we are now on the march home, where saints and angels will welcome us. Point us back to that cross that we might see again that you have nailed our salvation. 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.

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.
2 Timothy 4:9,10

Military Devotion – September 13, 2020

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:9,10

See series: Military Devotions

Desertion is dangerous. It puts others at risk. If it happens during a battle, the deserter may be shot.

Yet, desertions occur not only during military battles. A father may desert his family. A Christian might desert his faith.

The main causes of desertion appear to be fear and love. We quickly think of the soldier who is afraid of losing his life—so he decides to desert his post.

A fellow by the name of Demas is mentioned in the Bible because he deserted out of love—love for this world.

Demas the deserter is not as well-known as Judas the traitor. But the lesson we learn from him is just as important.

He was in the company of Saint Luke the two other times the Bible mentions him. More importantly, he was with Saint Paul when the apostle was imprisoned in Rome.

Paul was about to be sentenced to death for preaching about Jesus. In this second letter to his former student, he begs Timothy to hurry to his side. As far as we know, Timothy did so and remained with the apostle until his execution.

By that time, Demas was long gone.

We might assume he was afraid he would also be arrested since he was associated with Paul. But we are told it wasn’t fear that drove him away. It was love that drew him away.

“Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me…”

We remember the warning Jesus gave as he explained the parable of the sower and the seed: “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

There is much in this sinful world that attracts us. It offers acceptance, applause, excitement, fun, and wealth.

It is difficult to not love such things.

Demas gave in to that. What the world offered meant more to him than what faithfulness to God offered.

After all, who would want to hang out with someone on death row? What could that get him? What fun was that? What would he lose if he left?

His place in the brotherhood of believers? His peace with God? His place in heaven?

Maybe.

We don’t know what happened to Demas. We hope that, like a Peter, he returned to faithful service in his Savior’s kingdom.

We hope that he remembered Jesus was once deserted by his heavenly Father so that a Demas might not be left to a fate worse than death.

Demas should have stayed in Rome. He should have followed the motto: “No one left behind.”

He should have stayed in the band of believers.

As should we.

Along with generations of Christians before us, we say to Jesus:
Thou hast not left me oft as I left thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.” Amen.
(From Christian Worship 588:4)

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 jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Acts 16:29-31

Military Devotion – August 30, 2020

Devotion based on Acts 16:29-31

See series: Military Devotions

Roman jailers were soldiers with a special MOS. It was a safe assignment—unless your prisoner escaped. A jailer who lost a prisoner lost his life.

Knowing this adds clarity and urgency to the situation at Philippi.

When Paul and Silas drove a demon out of a slave girl who had been telling the future, her owners lost a source of money. Angered, they dragged the apostles before the court with the charge, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice” (Acts 16:20,21).

A mob gathered to demand action. The court ordered the apostles to be stripped, beaten, then thrown into jail with feet chained in stocks. The jailer made certain they could not escape.

Imagine his fright when a midnight earthquake threw the cell doors open and unlocked the chains. Fright turned to despair. He drew his sword to kill himself.

A shout stopped him: “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” That came from Paul, his prisoner.

The jailer recognized all this was the work of God. He begged for life: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” He received a simple answer: “Believe in the Lord Jesus…”

It wasn’t a command. It was an invitation.

Some folks think the Bible is only all about commands. “Thou shalt! Thou shalt not!”

Some believe the message is: “If you want to get on God’s good side, do what he says!” Such people feel they will then be rewarded—not with a ribbon or a medal, but with blessings during earthly life and a placed reserved for them in heaven.

It’s an empty hope. They don’t realize that none of us can pass divine inspection. Our best attempts fall far short of the perfection that Command demands.

The best that we can do? We hear what that’s worth: “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags. We all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

The Bible seems to spell out our death sentence. So why would someone sing, “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so”?

We sing it because it is true.

The Bible carries the lightning strikes of God’s Law. But it also brings the soft breeze of his gospel. He does not want to punish us. Listen: “Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:11)

But how can shriveled leaves do anything? How can they turn to God?

God makes that possible. He promised, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (Acts 2:17).

He did.

The Holy Spirit infuses life into shriveled lives. He points to Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. He announces that Jesus obeyed the Law of God perfectly. Perfect obedience was then credited to our account. He was punished in our place. We are declared innocent.

The Holy Spirit creates the power for us to believe it. We call it saving faith.

Like that Roman soldier, we face death without it. Like that soldier, we are offered life.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus!”

It’s not an order.

It is a life-saving invitation.

Prayer: Holy Spirit source of faith and life, we thank you for allowing us to know that our salvation has been won and is offered to us full and free. Stay with us as we walk through our earthly life. Preserve us in the saving faith. 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.

Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
Mark 5:17

Military Devotion – August 16, 2020

Devotion based on Mark 5:17

See series: Military Devotions

Sometimes the angels must be dumbfounded at what humans say and do. Sometimes they must shake their heads at our dangerous foolishness.

The plea, “Oh come, oh come, Immanuel” rose from the voices of God’s people, the Israelites, for millennia of Old Testament time. He finally came. He was standing before them. He had come to rescue them. And what was their response?

They pleaded with him to leave.

In our mind’s eye, we can picture the attending angels saying, “What?” Why in heaven would these people want Jesus to be nowhere in their life?

The answer is not found in heaven. It comes from the pit of darkness. But to those people, it must have seemed like a good answer. We want to know why.

Jesus had spent the night crossing the Sea of Galilee, where he rebuked wind and waves to still a storm. Upon reaching the shore, a frightening scene unfolded. A man came running to him from out of the tombs. He was a wild man. Not even chains could hold him. Day and night, he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

We might have thought he was crazy. He wasn’t. He was possessed by a herd of demons.

Confronted by Jesus, the demons begged him to not send them away. “Send us among the pigs!” they pleaded. A herd of them was nearby.

He did. And the 2,000 pigs rushed down a steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

The pig keepers told the townspeople and those people rushed out to see what had happened. They found Jesus sitting down with the scary man, who was now dressed and in his right mind.

This frightened them. Thus, “Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.”

We wonder what they were afraid of. Did they fear Jesus would use his supernatural power against them? But couldn’t they see how he had used it to deliver this suffering person from hellish power?

Were they afraid Jesus would cause them to lose money? After all, the loss of thousands of pigs must have hurt someone’s pocketbook. Were other herds of pigs at risk if Jesus stayed?

We must ask why those pigs were there in the first place. Weren’t swine declared off-limits to God’s Old Testament people? From Mount Sinai didn’t God command them, “The pig is also unclean; although it has a split hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses” (Deuteronomy 14:8).

So why were these people pig farmers? Did they like the taste of the meat? Did they like the taste of the money?

We don’t know. What we can be certain of is that they did not like Jesus being with them.

It makes us think of times when we might not want Jesus present in our lives. Might that be the times when we know we are planning to do something he would not approve of? Could it be the times when we are angry with him because he did not allow us to have something we desperately wanted—or the times when he did not prevent something we hated?

The victim of the devilish torment had a different reaction. He pleaded for permission to go with Jesus. He knew the wonder of divine deliverance.

We are like him, are we not? Don’t we know the wonder of being rescued from the powers of darkness? Do we not know the blessings that Jesus has brought us? Do we not plead with him to stay with us always?

To ever tell Jesus to get out of our lives would not just dumbfound angels. It would just be plain dumb for us to do.

Wouldn’t it?

Prayer: Abide with us, Lord Jesus! 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.

Thy will be done.
Matthew 6:10

Military Devotion – August 2, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 6:10

See series: Military Devotions

France entered WWI relying upon something they called élan. We would call it the fighting spirit. It boils down to willpower.

France wasn’t much concerned about defensive strategy before that war. It ignored the advancements in weaponry. The leaders felt what was inside the soldier counted most. With bands playing to arouse a fighting spirit, it sent out troops marching in straight lines across open fields with fixed bayonets. Willpower would win the day!

As it turned out, however; élan did not stand up well in front of a new weapon called the machine gun.

We surely will not deny that willpower is important. It sometimes makes the difference between success and failure. We rightly pay attention to morale and motivation. But desire and determination can carry a person only so far.

A small boy’s muscles will not lift his dad’s heavy weights. Fierce determination does not guarantee selection to an elite military unit. Sometimes, where there is a will does not mean there will be a way. A fighting spirit will not stop a bullet.

Willpower is effective only to the extent that there is actual power behind the will.

The will to live is basic and powerful. We see it in nature. Most babies are born with it. We spent our lifetime fighting to stay alive. We see death as our enemy.

It can be frightening to realize that no matter how enthusiastically we march forward in life, the enemy is waiting to mow us down. Our fighting spirit, our willpower, is not enough to save our lives. We do not have the power to defeat death.

But our God does.

He is the source of all life. He intervened into our miserable existence in order to wipe out death for us and neutralize its allies.

The One who taught his disciples to pray “Your will be done” is the same One who is called the Mighty God.”

God’s will packs a punch.

He wanted to make an entire universe out of nothing. So, he did. He wanted some lifeforms that would serve him of their own free will. So, he created angels and humans. He wanted to throw rebellious angels out of heaven and consign them to the pit of pain. So, he did.

He wanted to rescue rebellious humans from being banished and punished with the demons.

So, he sent his Son to take the punishment for the human rebels.

With the holy, omnipotent God, where there is his will, he makes a way—his way. That way is always good; always brings blessings; and often exceeds what humans can do.

How strange, then, that we would be afraid of what he might want for us.

Do we think we know better? Do we suspect he lies when he says he loves us? Do we believe that heartache, tragedy, and disease can operate outside the boundaries of his reign of power? Will they not accomplish the good that he wants for us?

Will we not trust him?

It takes faith to mean the words when we pray, “Thy will be done!”

But we should do so without doubt or fear. Jesus did.

The will of God is good and gracious. We could receive nothing better. We could ask for nothing more.

We need his powerful will to be carried out in our lives.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you taught us that special prayer. You accepted your Father’s will even though it brought you pain and death. You knew that your Father willed our redemption. You knew its price. But you wanted it, too. Accept now our words of thanks, and send the Holy Spirit to renew our faith so that we will always want what our Savior God wants. Thy will be done! 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.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
Psalm 23:2,3

Military Devotion – July 19, 2020

Devotion based on Psalm 23:2,3

See series: Military Devotions

I prefer to think that I am in control of my life. If I am smart enough, work hard enough, and get some breaks, I should be able to take care of myself.

How foolish of me!

If I am going to be compared to an animal, I would prefer it be a lion. Lions are strong. We call them the “King of Beasts.” No one makes a lion do anything. No one is going to lead him around at will.

So, what was David thinking when he compared himself to a mere sheep? David was a warrior. David was powerful. David took charge of his life. He was the giant killer. He was a king.

Yet, he wrote that someone made him do things: “He makes me lie down . . .” He admitted that someone else controlled his life: “He leads me . . .” Who in the world would be so powerful?

Not someone in the world. This one dwells in heaven: “The Lord is my shepherd . . .”

That makes a difference. That one is greater than a King David—greater than any king. This is the Lord God.

David knew he needed food and drink. What was he given? “Green pastures”, not dry stubble. “Quiet waters”, not a dangerous, raging torrent.

“He restores my soul,” David exclaimed. Faith and hope have been renewed.

No wonder he began the psalm by declaring, “I shall not be in want.”

Could that be right? Could he honestly say that he would lack nothing that he needs? Can we say that?

Yes.

I only doubt that because I often think I need things that I do not need. God, of course, knows better.

I might easily admit that I don’t need a yacht, but what about other things? Don’t I need protection? Don’t I need healing? Don’t I always need food and drink?

Maybe. At times. At times, not.

The all-wise, Good Shepherd knows that sometimes I need to be sick. Sometimes, I need to go hungry. Sometimes, I need to lose friends.

And, at some time, I may need to lose my life.

I don’t like those possibilities. At those times, I am tempted to ask, “Where are the green pastures and the still waters?”

The Good Shepherd would answer, “They are still there. You just don’t recognize them. You still don’t know what you need.”

Well, I know I need to stay alive!

So, does he. So, he makes it possible. He will provide what my body and soul really need. He will make his goodness and love follow me through life. He will walk with me through the valley of the shadow of death. I don’t need to fear its darkness. I don’t need to tremble before the threat of hell.

I don’t need to fear the Forever. I will spend it with him.

May I always remember that I need him—and I need nothing more!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Shepherd of your sheep, guard and keep us so we do not stray. Open our eyes to see your protecting hand when danger confronts us. Sharpen our vision so that we may see more clearly what we truly do need. Build up our faith when we cannot see the good you are giving. Bless us. Lead us. Open for us the gate 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.

Hear this word, O house of Israel, this lament I take up concerning you.
Amos 5:1

Military Devotion – July 5, 2020

Devotion based on Amos 5:1

See series: Military Devotions

He was a farmer. He lived a couple of hours away from Bethlehem when the northern tribes broke from Judah. He was called, Amos. The breakoff group called itself, Israel.

The nation was strong in those days. The economy was robust. About Israel, it could have been sung, “God shed his grace on thee!”

But the God of Israel called Amos to deliver a message that spoke not of grace, but of judgment: “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again, deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up” (Amos 5:2).

It was a lament.

The people of the land flowing with milk and honey had forgotten the one who gave them this land, who had blessed them in it, and without whom they had nothing.

The people had looked elsewhere for strength and hope. Many ran after false gods. Some counted on allied nations. Others felt they had no need of help from anyone. They boasted they were an independent, self-made nation.

They were wrong.

The Lord God had given them reminder warnings. There had been earthquakes. There had been plagues. There had been wars. But there was no repentance.

Without repentance, there would be no hope because there was no help.

The blow that would knock Israel off her feet would come from the north. No one suspected that Assyria would become so strong. No one expected Israel would be overrun so easily—its army decimated; so many of its citizens slaughtered, and the survivors led away as prisoners.

“Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again . . .” She never did. Her people are now called the lost tribes of Israel. They are gone without a trace.

At the time of Amos, that disaster was far off. Yet, the warning was delivered as if it had already happened. In God’s eyes, it had. The judgment was certain. History proved it.

Amos had reason to lament.

So, do we.

The anniversary of the founding of our nation so many years ago invites us to sing again: “God shed his grace on thee.”

There is no other source of America’s greatness. Blessing upon undeserved blessing has been heaped upon this nation.

And what does God see when he looks down upon us? What words come to his ears?

What do we see when we look at our nation? What words do we hear?

Do not the sights and sounds cause sorrow? Do they not make us wonder if we, like ancient Israel, have forgotten the Lord our God? Are we seeing the descending fist of divine judgment?

Is God not calling for repentance? Is there still some hope for our nation?

To Israel, the Lord said: “Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba . . .” (Amos 5:4).

Is it not the same for us? Our hope lies not in global economies, renewed dialogs, or new vaccinations. Don’t we make it clear in our worship? Don’t we call out, “Our help is in the name of the Lord!”?

So it is. So, it will always be.

Prayer: Lord of the nations and God of grace and glory. Forgive our iniquity. Cover our guilt with holy blood. Call our nation back to its source of life and blessing. Let it thank God from whom all blessings flow. We pray in the name of the Savior who died so that rebels may live, 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 will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace, who pleads for mercy. Then they will look at me, the one they have pierced.
Zechariah 12:10

Military Devotion – June 21, 2020

Devotion based on Zechariah 12:10

See series: Military Devotions

“Now this is the true Christian faith: We worship one God in three persons and three persons in one God, without mixing the persons or dividing the divine being.”

If these words from the Athanasian Creed seem confusing to us, it is because the nature of God seems confusing to us. Three persons, but only one God? How can that be true?

Because it is true—limited human comprehension notwithstanding.

Rather than trying to unravel the mystery with our minds, Scripture bids us marvel at the wonder of the eternal God, and grab hold of his blessings with our faith.

We can easily form a mental picture of God the Father. After all, we have seen fathers. We can visualize God the Son. He took on human form.

But what would God the Holy Spirit look like? Scripture compares him to the wind. What does wind look like? We cannot see it. We only see what it does. We see trees bend. We feel it move against our skin. We don’t need to see the wind in order to know it is there.

The same is true of the Triune God. Regarding him, we live by faith, not sight. It is a certain faith built upon amazing realities. God seldom shows us the how of his existence. Instead, he points us to the what.

We sing, “What a friend we have in Jesus” because we have been shown that he was willing to step into the place of the guilty—where we should have stood. The rescue plan was formulated long before Jesus was crucified. Long before he was born as our brother, he could say, “Then they will look at me, the one they have pierced.”

This is God the Son speaking. This is God the Son dying.

But there is more to it. Through the prophet Zechariah we see all persons of the Trinity are in the picture. The Triune God tells us, “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace, who pleads for mercy.”

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of grace. He pours out God’s undeserved love. He pleads for mercy. Mercy was indeed given. But mercy has a price.

The suffering and death of the Son of God was the answer to the Holy Spirit’s prayer.

The holy God could not overlook sin. His very nature ruled that out. Justice needed to be served. Sin needed to be punished. The death sentence needed to be issued.

Just like the rebellious angels, rebellious humans forfeited all the blessings of the loving Creator. They could expect only to be abandoned from his presence to endless misery and darkness.

But the Holy Spirit pleaded for mercy for humans.

We look in at the picture with amazement. Why would the Holy Spirit plead for unholy humans to be spared? Why would the Son of God be willing to make this possible? Why would God the Father agree to this?

The Bible gives the answer, then repeats it and repeats it. The Holy God wants us to know that we did nothing to deserve mercy. He wants us to realize how despicable sin is—and how deadly.

He wants us to know how much he loves us.

Our salvation is the work of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It was an act of mercy.

And the Triune God knew very well; mercy has a price.

Prayer: Holy God of grace and wonder, our feeble minds cannot comprehend the concept of the Trinity. We simply rejoice to know your name and your greatness. We wait for heaven to understand fully. But already now, we offer thanks and praise for being willing to pay the price of mercy for us. 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.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5

Military Devotion – June 7, 2020

Devotion based on 1 John 1:5

See series: Military Devotions

“Let there be light!” was one of the first creation commands. Obedience followed instantly.

“Do not come any closer!” was the command to Moses from a burning bush. Why not? “The place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Who said that? “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6).

And Moses quickly hid his face—much like a child might bury his face in a pillow after seeing a lightning strike.

Then there was the nightly pillar of fire that led Israel to the Promised Land. In daylight, it became a dazzling bright cloud.

How could we forget that the face of Jesus shone like the sun at his transfiguration? Or that his clothes became as white as the light? (Matthew 17:2)

“God is light,” the Bible explains. “In him there is no darkness at all.”

This is more than just a description of the holy God. It is to be a description of us.

The apostle John went on to say, “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie…”

There is a kingdom of light, and there is a kingdom of darkness. There is a Lord of glory, and there is a prince of darkness.

We belong to one or the other. We follow one or the other. Jesus warns against thinking we can belong to both at the same time. “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).

To some people of his day, Jesus spoke the frightening words, “You belong to your father, the devil…” (John 8:44). Might he say this to us?

At my Baptism, I was asked, “Do you renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways?” My godparents answered for me: “Yes!”

But does that answer still stand? How often did I not visit the kingdom of darkness? How often followed its prince into temptation? Like a fallen Peter, how often did I act as if I didn’t even know the Holy One of God? Am I kidding myself when I say I am a Christian? Might I be lost to the darkness?

The evil one would smile and shout, “Yes! The evidence is damning.”

But Satan is not the judge. Jesus says of him, “For he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). He lies now.

The restored Peter tells us: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

The apostle Paul writes: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13).

Then he lays it out for us: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

The verses pile up. The truth sinks in: “We are not of the night, nor of darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Why not? We belong to the heavenly Father, “And the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Wonderful news! Best possible news! Life-changing news.

Now, amidst a crooked and depraved generation, our Father calls upon us to shine like stars.

“Shine like stars” (Philippians 2:15). We belong to God—who is light.

We should show it.

Prayer: Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows, continue to change us—that more and more we shine forth your light in our life. 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.

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2

Military Devotion – May 17, 2020

Devotion based on Ecclesiastes 1:2

See series: Military Devotions

He was rich in wealth and wisdom. He had no equal. And yet, when we take a closer look at his life, we may end up saying: “Poor Solomon.”

“Solomon” means peace. But for much of his life, no peace could he find. We would not want to be like him.

Oh, we would like some of that wealth, and it would be nice to be honored like him. But we would hate to be as miserable as he came to be.

If we ask, “How could he be so unhappy with all that he had?” he answers in the book of the Bible called “Ecclesiastes.”

The opening words are striking: “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” How did he come to that sad conclusion?

He was bored: “What has been will be again, what has been done,” he wrote, “will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (1:9)

He discovered wisdom did not bring happiness. He reports: “With much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” (1:18)

So, he undertook great projects. He built houses, planted trees, bought livestock, and piled up gold and silver. “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.” (2:10)

The result? “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.” (2:18)

He came to the conclusion: “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.” (2:24)

So, the king who has it all is no better off than a common laborer.

Then, he shared some words of wisdom: “To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness….”

Happiness, he learned, is a gift from God. It is not something we can make for ourselves.

And then a warning: “…but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.” (2:26)

This, he would tell us, is truly a meaningless life.

His words may surprise us. We don’t expect this from the son of the great King David and the builder of the great temple in Jerusalem. Had he not impressed even the Queen of Sheba?

Yet, much of his life was empty. There may have been peace throughout his kingdom during those years, but no peace was found in his heart and soul. Poor Solomon!

But there is more to his story. It turns out, one of his descendants was the very Prince of peace.

Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God and son of Mary, from the line of David and Solomon, was the answer to Solomon’s emptiness—and ours.

What is the greatest thing the great King Solomon accomplished in life? Wrong question!

Rather, “What is the greatest thing God accomplished through Solomon?”

The answer must be: “God used Solomon, with all of his strengths and weaknesses, with all of his wealth and wisdom—God used the man with the name, “Peace” to bring the Prince of peace to the earth.

Rest in peace, Solomon! You now share in the endless wealth, power, and glory of your Savior.

One day, because of your distant Son, we will too.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, your death and resurrection give us peace of heart, mind, and soul. Accept our words of thanksgiving and our labors of 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.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Mark 4:39

Military Devotion – May 3, 2020

Devotion based on Mark 4:39

See series: Military Devotions

Words spoken once to wind and waves come now to storm-tossed souls: “Be still!”

It wasn’t a suggestion to those forces of nature. It was a command.

Wind and waves recognized that voice. It was their master. Instantly, they obeyed.

So, should we. Not out of fear. Out of trust. Those words bring blessed assurance.

Nature on a rampage can shatter one’s peace of mind. It certainly did for those disciples caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. We are told it was a “furious squall.” Waves began breaking over the boat. They were in danger of being swamped. And Jesus was sleeping!

“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

Maybe we would have asked the same. Maybe we have already done so in the past, when troubles washed over our lives.

Wrong question! Bad question. It springs from doubt, not faith.

We don’t know exactly what the disciples expected Jesus to do, but they did want him to do something. They knew he could work miracles. They had seen his words had power.

To a leper, Jesus had said: “Be clean!” and he was (Mark 1:41). To a paralytic, Jesus had said: “Get up, take your mat and go home” and he did (Mark 2:11). To the man with a shriveled hand, Jesus had said: “Stretch out your hand.” And it was completely restored (Mark 3:5).

Maybe more astonishingly, when an evil spirit asked, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

And he did! We hear: “The demon shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek” (Mark 1:24-26).

The disciples had seen the evidence; had heard the cry of the demon; and had witnessed the power behind the words of Jesus of Nazareth.

They knew the Holy One of God was with them. He was sleeping in their boat!

So, why the panic?

They knew what he could do. They were not sure what he would do.

And we are in the same boat.

We have seen the evidence identifying Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world. We have read the testimonies of people who have seen the risen Jesus with their own eyes. We have heard Jesus say, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

That’s the kind of disciple we are. The Holy Spirit has worked the miracle of faith in our hearts. With the apostle Peter, we say to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” (Matthew 16:16).

And yet—and yet—we sometimes find ourselves wondering, “Don’t you care about us?”

Like those disciples in the boat, we sometimes expect that if Jesus did care about us, he would act quickly to help us. When he does not, we are tempted to wonder, “Is he sleeping? Doesn’t he care?”

Shame on those disciples! Shame on us. How dare we doubt him! Holy words ring in our ears: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

He never promised to keep us untouched by a storm. He has not promised to keep a virus from attacking our body. He surely has never said we would never die.

He has promised to make certain that we are safe in his hands no matter what. Finally, he will bring us back from death. He will land us safely on heaven’s shore.

The nail prints in his hands testify to the certainty of that.

When he bids us “Be quiet! Don’t be afraid!” our soul recognizes the voice of the all-powerful, loving Lord.

And we can know: “All is well!”

Prayer:
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your best, your heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Amen.
(Christian Worship 415:1)

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 angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
Matthew 28:5,6

Military Devotion – April 12, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 28:5,6

See series: Military Devotions

“God must die if humans are going to live!” That was the divine decision.

But there was a critical second part to the plan of salvation: “God must live again!”

That’s the story of Easter.

Our minds balk at the idea of God dying. How can that happen to an eternal one?

The Bible explains that by the Son of God becoming human, he received a human body. When his spirit left his body, life left him.

God the Father did not die. God the Holy Spirit did not die. God the Son did die.

But he must live again.

His dying paid for our sin. His coming to life again claimed his victory over sin and death. The importance of the empty grave cannot be overstated. We are warned: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost” (1 Corinthians 15:17,18).

Then comes the assurance: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

The victory over sin, death, and the devil was won on the cross. But humans needed to know it. It had to be proven to them.

They knew the Son of God had died. They had seen the thrust of the spear and the gush of blood and water. They had handled the lifeless body.

Now they needed to see him alive. They needed to touch him. And they did.

That’s the story of Easter.

But as we read the accounts of that day, we may find ourselves asking, “Couldn’t things have gone more smoothly?”

Why the confusion? Why did Jesus appear and then disappear? Why did he keep some of his followers from immediately recognizing him? Why didn’t he show up in the temple in front of crowds?

Why wasn’t Jesus sitting on that rolled-away stone in radiant glory instead of an angel?

Couldn’t the events of Easter have rolled out better than they did?

Of course not.

Each appearance was planned. The timing was perfect. They also wipe out the assertion that the disciples removed the body to a hidden place. They demonstrate that the story of Easter was not a fabrication by his followers.

No human could envision the way the events of Easter took place.

Good thing the planning of Easter was not left to us. We would have ruined that perfect day.

Jesus knew exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it. Everything happened the way that it did for our benefit.

We look in from afar. But the line of vision is clear and direct. The Holy Spirit has seen to that.

As Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

We were not there on Easter Day. We have not seen him with our eyes or touched him with our hands. But we are, indeed, blessed.

The Holy Spirit has entered into our hearts to show us that Jesus lives.

He lives again.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, your resurrection from the dead has proven that we will live forever. Keep the vision of Easter before our spiritual eyes that we may always cling to the certainty of life eternal when the day of our death comes. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, dearest Jesus, unto 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.

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19

Military Devotion – April 9, 2020

Devotion based on Luke 22:19

See series: Military Devotions

I remember the summer of 1949.

I remember the headache, the fever—and the legs that would not work.

I remember the look on my mother’s face.

I remember the polio virus.

I remember the doctor asking my mother, “Do you want me to call an ambulance?”

She shook her head. “No. His father is coming. We will take him to the hospital.”

But my father was far away, helping to build a canning factory. How long would it take him to get to me?

Not long.

A neighbor flew a war surplus two-seater Piper Cub to pick him up and land him in a nearby hayfield. I can still picture him showing up in the doorway to my bedroom.

That changed everything. I was a five-year-old who believed my father could fix anything.

He wrapped me in a blanket, lifted me onto his shoulder, and headed for the car.

What a relief! I was at peace.

That same shoulder carried me home three days later. My parents didn’t have the money to pay for a longer stay. My mom became my nurse. My red wagon, pulled by my sister, became my legs.

It reminds me of a scene Jesus once pictured: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” (Luke 15:4-6).

When I think of the shoulders of the Good Shepherd, I again have peace. One day, they will joyfully carry me home.

I will remember the coronavirus.

Corona is the Latin word for crown. Under a microscope, that’s what this infective agent resembles.

It makes me think of another crown—one made of twisted thorns.

It makes me think of another Father—one who can truly fix everything, including the virus called sin.

It makes me think of the pain in his heart as he watched his Son writhe in agony, then breathe his last.

I remember why that happened. I remember my sin. I remember his love.

I remember the last meal before his Son died.

I remember that on the night he was betrayed he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Then he took the wine and gave it to them saying, “Drink from it all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:27,28).

Christians have received that body and blood in remembrance of him ever since.

They treasure it because they treasure him.

He is the same one who promised: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

I remember Jesus and look forward to that crown.

I remember: “He has not forgotten me.”

Prayer: Too often have I forgotten you, Lord.
Too often have I acted as if I did not need you.
Too often have I failed you.
Let me taste again the joy of your salvation.
Let me receive again forgiveness through
your body and blood, hidden beneath bread and wine.
Let me remember my sin and my Savior. 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.